Two years ago today, on September 21, 2011, Mike, Peter and Michael made the announcement, from sort of outtatheblue, that they had decided to “call it a day” and that R.E.M. would cease to exist in the active, record-making, touring together, making music mode of the past three decades. It was bittersweet for them, to be sure, for the people who’ve been privileged to work with them over the years, and for their families, friends and fans around the world.

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