R.E.M. through the years

Michael Stipe sings during a R.E.M. performance in Mountain View, Calif., in 1995.

Michael Stipe sings during a R.E.M. performance in Mountain View, Calif., in 1995.  (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

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After 31 years in the business and 15 albums, R.E.M., the Southern rock band from Athens, Ga., announced Wednesday that it was calling it quits. Story

R.E.M.: Performing in 1995

Michael Stipe and drummer Bill Berry performing in 1995.  (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

R.E.M.: Fashion awards in 1998

A befeathered Michael Stipe announces an award at the VH-1 Fashion Awards in 1998.  (Bruce Cotler / Associated Press)

R.E.M.: In D.C. in 1998

Michael Stipe looks over the crowd at RFK Stadium in Washington D.C., in 1998.  (Ken Cedeno / Associated Press)

R.E.M: Stipe's films 1999

Michael Stipe and his Single Cell Productions produced films, including “Velvet Goldmine” and “Being John Malkovich.” Also, with R.E.M., he scored the movie about Andy Kaufman, “Man on the Moon,” whose title is taken from an R.E.M. song Stipe wrote about the comedian.   (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

R.E.M.: At the Greek Theatre in 1999

Michael Stipe strikes a pose at Los Angeles’ Greek Theatre in 1999.  (Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)

R.E.M.: At the Greek in 1999

Bassist Mike Mills at the Greek Theatre in 1999.  (Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)

R.E.M.: Rehearsing in 2003

Mike Mills, Michael Stipe and Peter Buck rehearse in Vancouver, Canada, in 2003.  (Jeff Vinnick / For The Times)

R.E.M.: At the Hollywood Bowl in 2003

R.E.M. performs at the Hollywood Bowl in 2003.  (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

R.E.M.: Voting drive in 2004

Michael Stipe and Bruce Springsteen perform together during a concert tour that raised $15 million for America Coming Together, which organized get-out-the-vote drives for Democrats in 2004.   (Evan Vucci / Associated Press)

R.E.M.: London, 2005

R.E.M. band members, from left, Mike Mills, Michael Stipe and Peter Buck wave as their leave the stage at the Live 8 concert in Hyde Park in London in 2005.  (Lefteris Pitarakis / Associated Press)

R.E.M.: In London in 2005

Michael Stipe performs at the Live 8 London concert in Hyde Park in 2005.  (M.J. Kim / Getty Images)

R.E.M.: Hall of Fame in 2007

Michael Stipe, Keith Richards and Patti Smith perform at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony in 2007.   (Seth Wenig / Associated Press)