102 replies to this topic

[MurmursAdministrator]

This has been quite a difficult week for a lot of people, me included.

Instead of trying to articulate my thoughts on it, I'll recount some memories.

-

• I remember being 8 and getting the tape for Document and trying to fast forward until it reached End of the World. Every time I stopped to check where I was I heard something new. Heron House, McCarthy, etc.
  
• I remember dancing around my room to Exhuming McCarthy.
  
• I remember the mystery of what the orange cassette that I got in November 1988 contained. Trying to wrap my child brain around World Leader Pretend, and trying to figure out why Hairshirt made me so sad.
  
• I remember the cover of Rolling Stone proclaiming them the best rock band in the world.
  
• I remember reading Tony Fletcher's book and learning about their history.
  
• I remember buying all the records up to 1992 on CD after my Bar Mitzvah. Until that time I only had cassettes of most of them.
  
• I remember the AOL forum, the Remarks and MLA mailing lists. Catbutt chat rooms on Sunday night.
  
• I remember going to Music+ at midnight to get Automatic for the People and Monster.
  
• Michael Stipe giving me a candy bowl from stage on October 31, 1995.
  
• Meeting Michael at a Patti Smith show in LA (her first in 15 years) in 1996. Him crying, me unable to speak.
  
• Starting Murmurs.com on a whim in 1996.
  
• Going to the book signing and meeting Michael again.
  
• Growing this site.
  
• I remember the 1999 tour, the after parties, meeting the band, meeting Patti Smith.
  
• Getting a call from the band before presenting a huge check to the Athens City Council, thanking me and me thanking them back for far more than I could ever do.
  
• Love Rocks in 2001. Reveal, wanting to go to Rio.
  
• I remember meeting my wife because of Mike. The generosity of this band in 2001 at Bridge School when I was going through a difficult time.
  
• I remember parties, after parties, being welcomed into homes and families. Coming to know this band not as heroes and idols, but as friends. Three guys never shy from giving a big hug and asking "How is everything?" A perfect circle of friends who surround this band.
  
• That feeling when listening to new REM for the first time. In some cases, in the studio with the band looking over my shoulder.
  
• Working with the best label in the entire planet on shaping this band's career for the last five years: Marc, Wendy, Susan, Lori, Grover, Rob, Brian, Julie, Lenny, Charlie, Luke, Amy, Tom, Jeff, Jack, Jennifer, Cara and especially Peter: the Warner Bros. Records REM Fanclub - you made that place the best home for the best band possible for 23 years.
  
• And I'll never forget the feeling of waking up on the 21st and seeing what I suspected would happen did.

This band, this site and these fans have been a part of my life for so long. I've always had this feeling that at some point I'm going to have to move on and let it go. It used to be a fear of mine. What was I without REM? Without Murmurs? But in some ways now it is a relief.

I am something without REM and Murmurs, but I'll never be who I was, and never be the same.

I know that the guys heard that little voice in their head, the one saying "It's time to let go now." And for a while I've heard the same. I came close a few weeks ago, and now I think I'm prepared to actually follow through on it.

On December 31, 2011 I'm going to "freeze" these boards as a monument in time, a reflection on its impact on the lives of many, and a timeless capsule of the world of REM from 2001-2011. Murmurs will remain, and I will probably make it something more like an episodic "magazine" for fans to curate and write.

I sit in my office surrounded by 20 years of artifacts and memories from this band and from the fans. I will always be defined by the impact it has had on me, and nearly every great thing in my life so far has traced itself back to something from this site or this band.

I thank you all for this impact you've had on me.

And to the band: words mean so little, but a big hug next time I see you will say everything.

EDIT: I missed two people who have been mentors, collaborators and friends in the last 16 years: David Bell and Bertis Downs. Thank you so much.

[sousa]

Beautiful words.

[Ensoul]

Amazing words that choked me up.

[MAK]

Marvelous Ethan,  thanks for creating this site 15 years ago, and thank you for keeping it online "freezed" for eternity.

[bizaleth]

Thank you, Ethan.

Not surprised at the break up. Not sad. But amazed at how much this one band affected my life. I haven't been active on this site in a very, very long time. I check in ever few months to see what has changed.

Seriously, though: Thank you, Ethan. I'm not sure you realized how many lives you've changed with this site: mine included. This place was an outlet when I lived in a very isolated part of the country. I met people who remain some of my closest friends. Like the band and their music, this site was a part of my life for more than a decade. The people here have seen me go through many stages of my life--both good and bad.

[chambta]

Nice words.

Shame it can't continue in a way but somewhere will pop up no doubt.

[Blackbirds Backwards]

You will.  You'll always be the guy who created Murmurs!

Doesn't matter what the other guys do, they'll alway's be the folk who were REM.  I'm sure they're feeling just the same.

You'll all move on and do whatever you do, safe in the knowledge that regardless of what the future holds, something worthwhile has been achieved.  

It's a this point I'd like to throw in a little quote from one of my hero's, the only one who eclipses REM.

Quote

"One day I shall come back. Yes, I shall come back. Until then, there must be no regrets, no tears, no anxieties. Just go forward in all your beliefs and prove to me that I am not mistaken in mine."

- The Doctor

[Kimo]

Nicely said ! Thanks for the good work !

[In the Corner]

Ethan, now that you're a father, you may have an inkling of how much Murmurs has meant to me.  It was a place of socialization, refuge, and growth for my daughter.   It was a pleasure we could share, for too brief a time.  And it was the medium through which I've made many close and dear friends.  Thank you for keeping it going as long as you have.  I feel that you've made the best decision, to bring it to a natural end.

[DrinkTheElixir]

Nicely said, Ethan. Thanks to you, I have met the most wonderful friends here. Although I have rarely posted over the past few years, I have always read and enjoyed.  It has been wonderful to see so many old faces come back to say hello - that is a testament to how people hold Murmurs dear and how important it has been to them, even if they have moved on in life.  I have always thought of Murmurs as being more than about the band. It grew into so much more. Joni's post said it all - so many memories - almost 10 years of my life.

We have seen people meet here and marry. Murmurs babies have been born, sad losses of wonderful, wonderful posters. I am remembering Bastian and Jessica especially today. Bitter sweet.

You should be very proud of what you have accomplished.  It has been an absolute pleasure.

[charlesmcenerney]

It has been a hard week. Harder than I would have thought. I'm glad to read some actual emotion about it vs. all the bad jokes online the last few days. Well done, Ethan, then and now.

[dariohead]

Stand on a cliff and look down there
Don't be scared
You are alive

Thanks for everything!

[murmur23]

Lovely list of memories, got me thinking of my own. Thanks for that Ethan.

[WorLdrPre]

Ethan,

Thank you for all your years of effort and information.  Murmurs was an outlet for myself and thousands of people from around the world.  It was/is my "happy" place.

Thank you for freezing it and keeping it available, it truly captured some of the best moments of my life...I suspect others here will agree.

Gary

[Yarxy]

It has indeed been a difficult week.
I'm glad to read your post.  Those are some amazing memories and experiences.

The world will be an emptier place without R.E.M.
I miss them already.
I've missed them ever since I heard the news.

[Ronja]

Yarxy, on 23 September 2011 - 11:54 AM, said:

It has indeed been a difficult week.
I'm glad to read your post.  Those are some amazing memories and experiences.

The world will be an emptier place without R.E.M.
I miss them already.
I've missed them ever since I heard the news.

I share your feelings.  As a new menber I am thankful this place is here.  I joined the day of the announcement, I had just logged in and saw the information.  Made me kick myself for not joining sooner.

[Lissy24]

Yarxy, on 23 September 2011 - 11:54 AM, said:

The world will be an emptier place without R.E.M.
I miss them already.
I've missed them ever since I heard the news.

I feel the same. I´m so very sad in moment.
But R.E.M. gave me so many wonderful songs and unforgettable concerts. I met many great people here in Germany and in the world (unfortunately only by pm/email etc.); I hope the contact with all of them will not end in the future.

Right now I´m listening R.E.M.s concert in Munich. 2008 at this time I stood in front row and was sooooooooooooo happy.
Unforgettable memories.

Wonderful moving words, Ethan. Thanks.
I didn´t post much here, because my English is not the best. But I read every day the news.
So R.E.M, the Fan Club, your page and many other things will always have a special and unforgettable place in my life.

[mrpoopypants]

Well said Ethan. I'm not very active here anymore, but still read often and have lots of great memories of this site from the years gone by. Murmurs has been a great place to share the excitement over a new album or new tour with other REM fans from many parts of the globe. And now a place for REM fans to share in all the wide range of emotions over what has happened this week.

Thank you for all your effort in providing and maintaining this community. It's been a joy and a privelidge to be a member.

[bflood]

Thanks Ethan.  The band and this site both meant a lot to me throughout the years.

[Josey Wales]

Very nice words Ethan. Like many of the previous posters I have not been as active on the boards as I was many years ago. But I'd still pop in every now and then.

I'd just like to thank you for setting up the forum and for keeping it going for so many years.