Stipe rules out R.E.M reunion

Michael Stipe insists R.E.M. will never reunite.

The 'Losing My Religion' hitmakers - comprising Michael, Peter Buck and Mike Mills - went their separate ways in 2011 after over three decades together and the frontman insists they won't perform together again because there's "no point" and he "despises" nostalgia.

Asked if they will get back together during an interview on 'CBS This Morning', Michael said: "No. That will never happen... There's no point. I love those guys very much and I respect them hugely as musicians and as songwriters and everything but I just don't want to do that thing that people do...I despise nostalgia. I'm not good at looking back."

Despite his feelings about a reunion, the 'Nightswimming' singer hasn't completely ruled out performing again himself in the future.

He said: "That's maybe an exclusive, but I think I will sing again. Not soon, maybe...I don't know.

"I love my voice and I think it's still... I think it actually got better as I got older. I sing in the shower. And I'm not bad. You would be surprised at my play list."

The 54-year-old musician most misses performing when he watches other people's gigs.

He said: "I just needed to step away for a while. [But] when I go to see bands perform live, that's when it's hard for me. I look up on the stage and I think: 'I wish I was there.'