I’m sure many R.E.M. fans are saddened by the news that’s been circling the internet. In case you haven’t heard, the famed band has broken up after 31 years performing together.

The group put out a statement on their website about the split; part of it reads:

“To our Fans and Friends: As R.E.M., and as lifelong friends and co-conspirators, we have decided to call it a day as a band. We walk away with a great sense of gratitude, of finality, and of astonishment at all we have accomplished. To anyone who ever felt touched by our music, our deepest thanks for listening.”

The individual members also gave their own messages to their fans, all of which stating they appreciate their fans and that they felt the time was right for them to draw their journey to a close. “During ourlast tour, and while making ‘Collapse Into Now’ and putting together this greatest hits retrospective; we started to ask ourselves ‘what next?’,” said Mike Mills in an official statement in the press release. “Working through our music and memories from over three decades was a hell of a journey. We realized that these songs seemed to draw a natural line under the last 31 years of our working together. The time just feels right.”

What do you think about this news? Are you saddened by the break-up? Sound off below.