Author Archives: David Bell

My Jet-Glo 360 Rickenbacker guitar is being auctioned here, (http://ebay.to/2EagGOx) proceeds going to Scott McCaughey. The auction for this item ends tomorrow (Saturday) night at 11:20 pm Eastern. So act now— this is the only guitar ever sold that was actually played regularly in the studio and stage by R.E.M., and it is signed by all four members of R.E.M.— Berry, Buck, Mills and Stipe. This is one of only five handmade versions of my personal Rickenbacker guitar, and I won’t be selling any other R.E.M. guitars during my lifetime— and I plan on signing no autographs in the afterworld, which I expect to see in approximately eighty years.

Help the Hoople Auction Update: Peter has donated his beloved Prada polka dot shirt, a mainstay from his wardrobe for ten years of touring with R.E.M. (which, most notably, he wore at the band’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony in 2007). 

For Song Exploder’s last episode of the year, Mike and Michael break down “Try Not to Breathe,” in honor of the 25th anniversary of their 1992 album Automatic for the People.

Bid on this extremely rare, first ever, exclusive offering, and the definition of a limited edition. The band is donating the proceeds of this sale to the Jeremy Wilson Foundation, a 50(C)3 non-profit, to help support the JWF Musicians’ Emergency Healthcare Fund, a program dedicated to assist individual musicians, or their dependents, when faced with a medical … Continued

Mike discusses the 1961 release by the Limelighters as a record that changed his life in the latest issue of Mojo magazine.

Michael will appear on Tuesday night’s episode of At Home With Amy Sedaris (12-19-17) at 10:30e/9:30c on @truTV. Will the season finale end with… murder? Tune in to find out.  

Peter Buck and REMHQ’s David Bell had a quick conversation over the weekend about the upcoming Help the Hoople benefit for Scott McCaughey. Scott is currently recuperating from a stroke he suffered while touring in November. The benefit is scheduled for Jan. 5-6 in Portland at the Star Theater and Wonder Ballroom. For ticket info … Continued

As many of you know, our dear friend Scott McCaughey suffered a major stroke on November 16 while touring with Alejandro Escovedo. Scott is back home in Portland with his family and friends where he’ll begin rehabilitation on the road to recovery.

To help raise money for Scott’s recovery, a two-night concert event and online auction of one of a kind items. has been put together. 100% of the money raised will go to Scott to help out with medical and rehabilitation expenses.

“Help The Hoople” is two nights of incredible music, featuring a stellar lineup of musicians and friends of Scott’s.

Have a listen to “Mike’s Pop Song,” featured on the 25th Anniversary Edition of Automatic For The People, which is KCRW’s “Today’s Top Tune.” LISTEN TO “MIKE’S POP SONG”

Ken Sweeney’s stellar rockumentary R.E.M.: Out of Athens will air on RTE Radio 1 at 2pm on December 28, but you can hear it now on Soundcloud. Interviews with Mike and Michael, Bertis, producers Mitch Easter and Joe Boyd, Michael Lachowski of Pylon, members of the 10,000 Maniacs, and Paul Butchart of The Side Effects … Continued

The latest news from REMHQ is out!  We’ve got some elfin ornaments and sweatshirts for your holiday shopping if you hurry. Read it here and sign up on this site if you’d like to receive it going forward.    

The Heartland Festival best live “Talks” podcast kicks off with a conversation with Michael and Douglas Coupland in which they discuss “ego” with moderator Martin Krasnik… Listen

Get your tickets for a special night in Brooklyn on 12-5 commemorating the publication of Sam Shepard’s Spy of the First Person with Patti Smith, Lenny Kaye, and Tony Shanahan at St. Ann & the Holy Trinity Church at 9:00 pm. Event details and ticket information here

Mike and Michael sat down with Anthony Mason of CBS to discuss the reissue of Automatic For The People…

Listen to the Spotify Originals Show and Tell podcast with Michael Stipe, interviewed by BBC 6Music breakfast show host Shaun Keaveny. https://rem.lnk.to/podcast