I used to love his personality and the stuff he added to the band, but I agree on creativity.

That's the burning question. It's so strange...

If they reconcile, will it be organic?

[This article reminded me of what Chili was saying about bands not being bands anymore. In light of the R.E.M. break up, the writer here was saying that bands used to be "family" and they aren't any longer. This is an excerpt.]

Workforce.com, September 28, 2011
http://www.workforce.com/article/201...g-our-religion

Losing Our Religion

With R.E.M's announcement earlier this month, it made me think about how the music world is famous for its dramatic breakups. But it also may be the industry that best shows how effective it can be to keep a team together. A few years ago, I saw singer Stevie Nicks perform. Only it wasn't just Stevie Nicks. It was Nicks and her band, which has stayed largely intact for decades. True, Nicks hasn't released new songs that have done as well commercially as those from her days with Fleetwood Mac or her early solo career in the 1980s.

But as a live performer, she continues to deliver a stunning show. And that's directly a result of the joy you see her experiencing on stage with her musicians and back-up singers. One of those back-up singers is actually her sister-in-law, but the band as a whole is clearly a family.