REM disband – in pictures

REM in their long-haired days pose for a portrait on 7 July 1984 in Chicago: [l-r] drummer Bill Berry, singer Michael Stipe, bassist Mike Mills and lead guitarist Peter Buck Photograph: Paul Natkin/WireImage

1984's Reckoning was another cult hit. The cover art is based on a drawing by Stipe that was filled in by artist Howard Finster Photograph: PR

Lifes Rich Pageant - released in 1986 - was REM's fourth album, following on from Fables of the Reconstruction the year before, and the most successful yet. It included the singles Fall on Me and Superman - a cover of a song by The Clique Photograph: PR

Their fifth album – 1987's Document – was the first working with producer Scott Litt, a partnership which lasted till 1996's New Adventures in Hi-Fi. It includes more political lyrics and fan favourite It's the End of the World as We Know It Photograph: PR

Sixth album Green in 1988 marked the band's signing to major label Warner Bros and was the first to break through in Europe, going gold in the UK. Songs like Stand reflected a poppier take on the REM sound Photograph: PR

Mike Mills, Michael Stipe, Bill Berry and Peter Buck Photograph: AP

Out Of Time in 1991 marked a gear shift for REM, from cult group to huge international stadium act. It topped the UK and US charts and spawned the worldwide hits Shiny Happy People and Losing My Religion Photograph: PR

Members of rock group R.E.M. (L-R) Bill Berry, Peter Buck, Michael Stipe and Mike Mills celebrate their three Grammy Awards in 1992, for best alternative album for Out of Time and best video and pop performance for Losing My Religion Photograph: David McGough/Time & Life Pictures

Automatic for the People in 1992 continued the band's success with hit ballads such as Man on the Moon, The Sidewinder Sleeps Tonite and Everybody Hurts Photograph: PR

Man on the Moon, the first single from 1992's Automatic for the People, later gave its name to a 1999 film about the life of US comedian Andy Kaufman, who is referred to in the lyrics Photograph: PR

REM at the height of their fame and critical acclaim in 1994 Photograph: Darren Kidd/Rex Features

The band's ninth album in 1994, Monster, was marked by a shift towards rockier sounds, such as the squalling guitars on What's the Frequency, Kenneth? Photograph: PR

Michael Stipe at the beginning of the band's 1995 tour to promote the Monster album, their first for six years Photograph: Kevin Cummins/Getty Images

After the electronic obscurantism of 1996's New Adventures in Hi-Fi, the departure of drummer Bill Berry and a near split during recording, the band released Up in 1998. Singles included Daysleeper and At My Most Beautiful Photograph: PR

Michael Stipe singing with REM at the Austin City Limits Music Festival, on September 21, 2003. Photograph: Kelly West/AP

The band's 2001 album Reveal was more upbeat, with the biggest single being Imitation of Life Photograph: PR

A wiser Michael Stipe in the '00s Photograph: Graeme Robertson for the Guardian

Around The Sun in 2004 received lukewarm reviews despite hitting the UK top spot Photograph: PR

Michael Stipe performs in Gijon, northern Spain on 29 May 2005 as part of their Around the Sun world tour Photograph: Eloy Alonso/Reuters

REM performing at the Live 8 concert in Hyde Park, London, in 2005 to call on the G8 conference in Scotland to drop third world nations' debt Photograph: Dan Chung for the Guardian

Michael Stipe of REM performs with Van Halen and Patti Smith during the 2007 ceremony to mark their bands' induction to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Photograph: Kevin Mazur/WireImage

Accelerate in 2008 was more stripped down and guitar-driven, reflecting the band's frustration at the reception of Around the Sun, and once again hit the UK number one spot Photograph: PR