Stipe welcomes old age

REM star Michael Stipe has blasted veteran artists who refuse to embrace the onset of middle age.

The Losing My Religion singer, 45, is shocked by the volume of music stars who desperately attempt to act and look like their former selves, insisting performers can only remain credible forces in the music industry if they learn to move with the times.

And he credits REM's longevity in the charts with their ability to enjoy their older years, rather than greet them with bitterness.

He says: "I feel that I'm so proud to be 45 and to still be here, just that I made it to this age! I don't have those kinds of issues where I feel I need to appear younger or be someone I was before.

"I'm speaking broadly, but we're really happy to be who we are right now. The challenge isn't the typical one of how do you present yourself at this age? We're doing it as 45-year-olds. And it feels real."