on official website of R.E.M., which as our friends over is one of the legendary rock bands of the last 30 years:

"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." R.E.M.

's Bob Boilen tells us he's confirmed the news with the band.

NPR Music's .

Update at 1:48 p.m. ET: , Robin Hilton adds comments from R.E.M.'s three members, which have also now been posted on the band's website.

Bass player Mike Mills says, in part, that the music on the band's last album 鈥� Collapse Into Now 鈥� "seemed to draw a natural line under the last 31 years of our working together."

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