Band Breakups That Shook The World (PHOTOS)

The Sept. 21 breakup of R.E.M. shook '80s music fans to the core, with many calling the announcement "the end of the world as we know it" in reference to one of the legendary rock group's most popular hits.

The band's three remaining original members -- lead singer Michael Stipe, guitarist Peter Buck and bassist Mike Mills -- now join a long list of iconic rock performers to call it quits while still considered viable acts. The 1970 breakup of the Beatles remains forever shrouded in mystery and speculation, and although never formally dissolved, the Swedish pop group ABBA has not performed in front of a live audience since 1982, despite a record $1 billion offer to reunite for a greatest hits tour.

Whether or not Stipe, 51, and company pull it together for a reunion outing in a decade or so remains to be seen, though speculation began almost immediately following their announcement -- and with good reason: many past-their-prime groups have hit the road and even recorded again years after disbanding, though the results have been mixed at best.

So, in a dream scenario, which of these bands would you most hope to see live once again? Take a look at our top band breakups that shook the world:

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Comments

[Nicholas Digregorio]

07:22 PM on 09/30/2011

what about the who and pink floyd

[Endogenous Light Nexus]

03:46 AM on 10/01/2011

don't forget the Spice Girls! My heart has never fully healed...

[chebontenitkee]

07:15 PM on 09/30/2011

Pink Floyd not even on the list. Really?

[Endogenous Light Nexus]

03:56 AM on 10/01/2011

Really, not even Grand Funk Railroad either?

[Brenda Downing]

02:41 PM on 10/03/2011

Where are the Monkees on this list? No more Micky, Davy, Peter or Mike! Noooooo!!!! Cry to sleep hugging the knit cap like the one Mike would wear...KIDDING!

Agreeing with some that the Beatles were the ones that affected the world with a break up. Pink Floyd maybe, but GFR, nope. Might as well include Three Dog Night or Dave Clark Five on the list then.

[guitarslinger68]

02:33 PM on 09/30/2011

R.E.M.? Let's see if anyone will still be listening to them in 40 years!? Duh....

[DarkTruths]

01:56 AM on 09/30/2011

R.E.M.'s breakup shook the world so badly that it happened a full week before I heard about it, and then I didn't care.

[mburgh]

06:02 PM on 09/29/2011

What a joke. The only band break-up that mattered was the Beatles, and the rest were flashes in the pan. Only the Beatles had the cultural force to shake up the world. I remember, it felt like the balloon had deflated.

[Joe Michaels]

07:03 PM on 09/29/2011

Yep. You nailed it. The others (Journey, for God's sake???) are irrelevant.

[BeatlesPrudence]

09:32 AM on 09/30/2011

Journey, more so for chicks! They always were a chicks band! Guys only acted to like them to get layed, back when they were @ their height!

[BeatlesPrudence]

09:29 AM on 09/30/2011

Not even Led Zepplin?