Later this evening, R.E.M. is set to be inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. In anticipation, all four members of the legendary rock band — Michael Stipe, Peter Buck, Mike Mills, and Bill Berry — sat down together for their first television interview in 30 years with Anthony Mason of CBS This Morning.
The foursome discussed their approach to songwriting, inner-band dynamics, and their decision to disband in 2011.
Looking back, Buck said, the band has no regrets about walking away when they did. “We could barely agree on where to go to dinner. And now, we can just agree on where to go to dinner,” Buck said. “I think we quit at the right time. This is a really good place to finish, you know – great tour, great album, go home.”
Mills also reiterated that a reunion is not in the cards, joking that it would take a “comet” to get the band back together. Asked by Mason why that was, Buck responded, “It would never be as good.” Watch the full interview below.
Along with R.E.M., this year’s Songwriters Hall of Fame inductees include Steely Dan, Timbaland, Hillary Lindsey, and Dean Pitchford.
R.E.M. is being inducted into the @SongwritersHOF — an honor Michael Stipe, Peter Buck, Mike Mills and Bill Berry say means a great deal: “We lived or died on the strength of our songs.”
They sat down with @AnthonyMasonCBS for their first joint interview in nearly 30 years. pic.twitter.com/XqlSoVMVxd
— CBS Mornings (@CBSMornings) June 13, 2024
