Concerto for Violin, Rock Band and String Orchestra, the first-ever classical work composed and performed by R.E.M. bassist and songwriter Mike Mills, is set for its recorded release October 14 on Orange Mountain Music. Mills composed the piece for his longtime friend and new musical collaborator, critically acclaimed violinist Robert McDuffie, with whom Mills … Continued
Mike and Robert McDuffie will perform their Concerto for Violin, Rock Band and String Orchestra at the Aspen Music Festival in Aspen, Colorado, this Thursday, August 11. “The piece expertly blends Mills’s prolific pop songwriting with McDuffie’s brilliance in the classical realm,” says the website for the Aspen Music Festival and School. Ticket info: https://www.aspenmusicfestival.com/…/a-recital-by-robert-m…/ … Continued
On August 5, 1991, the third single from OUT OF TIME, “Near Wild Heaven,” was released as a 7″ & 12″, CD single, and cassette single. The track featured Mike Mills on lead vocals. Near Wild Heaven
Birthday wishes to the man behind the drum kit… Mr. William T. Berry.
MTV Unplugged (1991) is scheduled to air on the all-new MTV Classic at 7pm EDT on Monday (August 1st) and R.E.M. by MTV on Wednesday August 10th at 7:30pm. This should be good so check it out!
Competition time! We’ve got 5 fan bundles to give away that include the entire R.E.M. catalogue on CD & exclusive merchandise. To be in with a chance of winning sign up to our mailing list here: https://REM.lnk.to/competition
This morning Bertis found himself in London after a family trip in Europe: a great Saturday morning, driving through Trafalgar Square in a cab with my family, remembering this magical rainy night here c 2001, then pulling up the film of it! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0SCaOz3Q-4w A short set of seven songs in a driving rain, today’s college … Continued
Mike Mills, Linda Pitmon, Steve Wynn, and Scott McCaughey will hit the road later this month to play dates as the Baseball Project. Be sure to check them out in your area. More info here: http://thebaseballproject.net/
Thanks to Chris Hartsonge of the formidable The R.E.M. Timeline empire who found this press clip from late 1981 when, believe it or not, R.E.M. was slated to support U2 at Vanderbilt University in Nashville TN. Well, the show never happened as our guys were bumped for some reason, a good one we are sure, … Continued
When R.E.M. played twice in one day— Live 8 at Hyde Park in London mid-afternoon, then about 7 hours and a quick flight later at the St Gallen Festival in Switzerland. Definitely one of the more memorable days ever— from U2 and Paul McCartney opening the Live 8 proceedings with Sgt Peppers, to a rocking … Continued
Vintage photo of the band by Terry Allen taken at the UGA Art School in 1980
Peter & Kurt Bloch hanging with old pal tony Clifton who imparted some life lessons at the Burger Boogaloo Festival in San Francisco Saturday.
It was a very fun and musical night in downtown Toronto at the stately Roy Thomson Hall as Mike Mills premiered his Concerto for Rock Band, Violin and String Orchestra with the help of his old friend, the magnificent Robert McDuffie, plus his newly constituted band of Athens friends and pros William Tonks, Patrick Ferguson … Continued
The musicians thst make it all happen here in TO: Robert McDuffie, TSO Conductor Peter Oundjian and of course Mike Mills whose Concerto for Rock Band, Violin and String Orchestra premieres tonight at 10 o’clock at Roy Thomson Hall. Coming soon to a venue near you! Stay tuned…
Taking you back . . . Bill Berry talks music, politics and much much more in this early interview from Australia 27 years ago . . .