January 13th marks the 20th anniversary of the start of the band’s 1995 tour in support of Monster which kicked off in Perth, Australia, following a lengthy hiatus from the road. After four days of rehearsals in Perth, R.E.M. returned to the stage at the Perth Entertainment Centre with
It’s Michael’s birthday today and here are special birthday wishes from three lovely people who worked as his direct assistants over the many years:
-I hope this is the beginning of your best, most wonderful year ever! Happy Birthday Michael!! x-amy
-To a visionary, a masterful musician and a quintessential Southern gentleman.
Today is the last day of the Reconstruction of the Steeple campaign, a 40 day fundraiser that got extended by 20 days. You can bid on an incredible array of memorabilia from bands from the Athens, GA community who have come to the aid of this exceptional cause. Find
Check out this article on Hidden Cameras 2014 album AGE, one of Undertheradarmag.com’s “Overlooked album’s of 2014.” Read here.
Michael performed a surprise set of songs at Webster Hall in NYC last night including ones by R.E.M. as well as covers of tracks by Vic Chesnutt, Perfume Genius, Patti Smith (who headlined the show), and a Liza-inspired version of “Theme From ‘New York, New York’.”
Rollingstone.com has the
As we reported earlier, Michael returned to the stage last night playing a surprise set at Webster Hall in NYC as the opening act for headliner Patti Smith. It was a special night given Michael and Patti’s connection through the years as musical & artistic kindred spirits; there’s also another
Bertis was doing some research this morning on the estimable and invaluable The R.E.M. Timeline (thanks Chris Hartstonge and team), and he came upon this from 32 years ago:
8-16 December 1983 – Studio A, Reflection Sound Studios, Charlotte, NC
Tracks recorded: Harborcoat / 7 Chinese Bros. / So.
Colbert Report finale tonight–the end of an era, the passing of the torch, except there’s . . . no torch
Two years ago Michael did some Christmas cheer with Stephen and Mandy Patinkin:
… and of course the hilarious interview and rocking performance of the band on The Report
Birthday wishes to Mike Mills from all of us here at REMHQ!
From theguardian.com: “On Wednesday, Chelsea Manning — heroine, whistleblower and inmate — turns 27. She has been behind bars for four years and eight months, ever since her arrest for leaking ÃÂclassified US documents. There isn’t much prospect that she will be released any time soon. Manning is serving a
Only the holidays to go on the Nuci’s Space Steeple Campaign–please support and pick an authentic old church brick and/or other Athens Music Scene perks of distinction:
Buying a brick and making a donor wall dedication is a great way to connect with the Athens music scene. Nuci’s
As the Colbert Reporrt winds down next week Salon has a feature on the musical history of the beloved show– including the first full band to play on the show– c 2008: R.E.M. Legendary interview and Supernatural Superserious c. 2008 (and included on the REMTV box
Michael will do an interview on CBS This Morning with Anthony Mason on Saturday, 12-13. The show airs at 8AM EST. More here
Check out Mike’s interview with Rollingstone.com here, and while you’re at it, read more about the band’s vinyl box set which was released on December 9.
Be sure to pick up your copy of the amazing boxed collection of eleven vinyl seven-inch singles from R.E.M.’s I.R.S. years–released worldwide today by Capitol/I.R.S. The singles feature replicated original picture sleeve art and labels, including two U.K. releases making their U.S. vinyl seven-inch debuts: “Finest Worksong” / “Time After