Over the years, many celebrities and fellow musicians have commented on the influence and greatness of R.E.M. Here are some notable quotes:
Eddie Vedder (Pearl Jam): “R.E.M. kind of broke the ice for us with a lot of people who might not have given us the time of day. They are so respected. It was an incredible thing to happen.”
Thom Yorke (Radiohead): “Michael [Stipe] has a beautiful voice and writes these lyrically intense songs. As a teenager, R.E.M. struck a chord with me – I loved the mystery in their songs.”
Chris Martin (Coldplay): “R.E.M. are the only band we grew up with who haven’t split up. That’s what makes them so precious. Their music has an indefinable quality that’s healing.”
Kurt Cobain (Nirvana): In a 1993 interview, Cobain mentioned that he had been listening to R.E.M.’s newly released album, “Automatic for the People” quite a bit and admired Michael Stipe’s approach to music: “I like the comfort in knowing that they’ve been together for so long; they’re like a family.”
Bono (U2): “I remember the first time I ever heard R.E.M. The irrefutable quality of Stipe’s voice – it was a truly emotional instrument. We owe them a lot.”
Patti Smith: “I like the sprite in R.E.M. They’ve maintained their principles and they’ve experimented within those principles. There’s something really healthy and organic and beautiful about that.”
Billy Corgan (Smashing Pumpkins): “R.E.M. was the band that exemplified what was wonderful about music in the 80s. They were one of the few bands that had the power to make me dream.”
Stephen Malkmus (Pavement): “R.E.M. meant a lot to me when I was growing up. They brought something completely different to the table in terms of what rock music could be.”
Neil Young: “R.E.M., there’s a band that’s been through the mill and stayed true to their vision. They never gave in to the pressure of what people wanted them to be. They were always true to themselves.”
Johnny Marr (The Smiths, Modest Mouse): “They were the first band of the ’80s I could relate to. I admired their independent stance and their unique sound. I was impressed by their songs, their intelligence.”
Michael Hutchence (INXS): “R.E.M. was always a band with integrity. They stood up for what they believed in and created a whole new platform for alternative music.”
Peter Gabriel: “R.E.M. has been one of my favorite bands for a long time. Their songwriting and their sound are just fantastic. They’ve stayed true to their craft and have been hugely influential.”
