Out of all my long term favourite bands who could still reunite with original members, REM are the ones who would prompt the most excitement. I write this because a reunion, of sorts, has taken place over the past month when all four were inducted into the Songwriters Hall Of Fame. To mark the occasion, they sat down together for an in depth interview and at the ceremony itself, reunited for a performance of ‘Losing My Religion’. That however, is almost certainly going to be that. When asked during the questioning about the possibility of any future reunion tour they all seemed resolute in their position, this is not something that is ever going to happen, no matter how much money is on the table.

They forever were a band acutely aware of the pitfalls that befall big rock bands in the 80s and 90s. Music fans first and foremost, I always thought this the one facet that gave them an edge over the competition, REM were pointedly vigilant in not becoming a U2 or such-like and only releasing new music around a five year tour cycle or stagnating as a live band with a punched in identikit set list. They rigorously pushed back these lazier trappings of the elite, especially when they themselves became part of that same club, always seizing initiatives like live rehearsal shows of new material or albums worked into shape during soundchecks. And so it seems to this day, the no-no of a lucrative reformation remains beyond the pale, you cannot expect a second opportunity to leave your legacy in a healthy place.

Michael Stipe referred in that interview to his reluctance to attend a reformed Velvet Underground back in 1993, but also acknowledged he probably regrets that decision now. I saw them too that year and definitely have no shame in taking that one-off opportunity while it was there. But it is true, they did rough ride with their own legacy a bit, no way did the Velvets do anything to enhance it with that reunion tour. It’s saving grace was arguably that it imploded before it even reached the US, but how can a band like the Velvet Underground open for U2, honestly? By refusing to go down the reformation route REM are also respecting another too often ignored universal truth, that when something has reached the end of its life span there is never a turning back. Everything has its time, a brief or, with luck, an extended period in the light when your actions and deeds are received and experienced to maximum effect, but it never lasts forever. And, when the finishing line is crossed, there is no going back. That which is gone can never return and all we can do hence forth is honour the memory and dive into the legacy with a sense of appreciation. I have been doing that very thing lately.

Enjoy the playlist… doesn’t feature any REM or Velvet Underground actually but there you go… others do…