Radiohead's Thom Yorke: Michael Stipe Sent Text Warning Of REM Split

Radiohead's Thom Yorke has revealed that Michael Stipe sent him a text message warning him about REM's split.

REM announced last month that the band have decided to call it a day after 31 years together.

In an recent interview with Rolling Stone magazine, Radiohead frontman Thom Yorke said he wasn't surprised by the news.

''I think it was kind of going one way for a while. I just wanted to check that Michael was alright''

Talking about how the pair became friends when Radiohead supported REM on their 1995 'Monster' tour, Yorke added:

''What I liked about watching REM – and this is something our band picked up straight away – was how they allowed shit to happen, not trying to add to it but just f*ckingg stand there, waiting for the fire to start," he said.

"Sometimes it would be mid-set, and it's still not kicking off yet. But no one's freaking out. They're staying with it - and then bang!"

REM released 15 albums including the classic 'Automatic For the People'.