Michael Stipe has apparently said that he is planning a break from REM because the terrorist bombings in London revived some 9/11 related trauma for him. Poor him.
The band played their delayed Hyde Park gig at the weekend, marking the end of their world tour. They were joined on stage by Patti Smith who began singing vocals with Stipe on 'E-Bow The Letter' but, according to NME, then forgot most of the words. Smith apparently won over the crowd, however, with some timely ad libs.