Rock band REM have announced they are to split up after 31 years and a string of successful albums and singles.
In a statement issued on Wednesday the band from Georgia in the United States said they had decided to "call it a day".
"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," it said.
"To anyone who ever felt touched by our music, our deepest thanks for listening."
REM were formed in 1980 and had huge success, including with the albums Out of Time and Automatic for the People, and singles such as Losing My Religion, Everybody Hurts and It's The End Of The World As We Know It
The band's iconic front man Michael Stipe said they had not taken the decision to disband lightly, but felt the time was right.
"A wise man once said--'the skill in attending a party is knowing when it's time to leave.' We built something extraordinary together. We did this thing. And now we're going to walk away from it," he said.
"I hope our fans realize this wasn't an easy decision; but all things must end, and we wanted to do it right, to do it our way.
He added: "We have to thank all the people who helped us be R.E.M. for these 31 years; our deepest gratitude to those who allowed us to do this. It's been amazing."
The band's original lineup was Michael Stipe, Peter Buck, Mike Mills and Bill Berry. REM became a three after Berry left in 1996.