R.E.M. on this Day
@remonthisday
Reminiscing on R.E.M.'s 31-year career by the day. Notable events only. Some information taken from ; some from my own research.
On this day in 1995, R.E.M. played the Spektrum in Oslo, Norway. ‘The Wake-Up Bomb’ was given a live debut.
On this day in 1995, R.E.M. played a second night at the National Bowl in Milton Keynes, England, supported by the Cranberries, Radiohead and Sleeper. The show was a live radio broadcast.
Photos of the band taken around Athens on this day 40 years ago by Ebet Roberts.
On this day 40 years ago, R.E.M. released their fourth studio album, Lifes Rich Pageant. It was produced by Don Gehman at John Mellencamp's Belmont Mall Studio in Indiana.
On this day in 1982, R.E.M. became the first band to play Cabaret Metro in Chicago. Owner Joe Shanahan first saw the band at Danceteria in New York five months earlier. Around 500 people were in attendance. The Metro is still in business.
On this day in 1983, a day when ‘Radio Free Europe’ entered the Billboard Hot 100, R.E.M. played Baity’s Backstreet Music Garden in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. They were supported by Mitch Easter’s Let’s Active. Established in 1982, Baity's burned down in 1993.
On this day in 1984, R.E.M. played the first of a two-night stand at the Beacon Theatre in New York City. The venue will celebrate its centenary in 2029.
On this day in 1980, R.E.M. played at The Pier in Raleigh, North Carolina. 'Gloria' is the only song known to have been performed.
On this day in 2003, R.E.M. played Bowling Green in Wiesbaden, Germany. The concert was filmed and released early the following year as Perfect Square, with the performance of ‘Country Feedback’ included on the bonus CD of the best-of, In Time.
On this day in 1980, R.E.M. played The Station in Carrboro, North Carolina, for their first show outside of Georgia. 19 years later, Peter and Michael had dinner opposite the venue and decided to play 'Camera' at the following night's show in Raleigh as a result.
On this day in 1981, before leaving Connecticut, Peter bought the black Rickenbacker 360 he continued to use for the next three decades at a shop in Hartford. (Photo by Andy Babiuk.)
On this day in 1980, R.E.M. played the 688 Club on Spring Street in Atlanta. Apparently, Peter once told a music magazine in Atlanta that the owner of the club, Steve May, was a prick. Well, that’s one way to narrow down your options, Pete.
The missing guitar was a blonde Rickenbacker 375, purchased a few months earlier.
On this day in 1980, R.E.M. played a benefit for John Kupris at the 40 Watt East in Athens. Meanwhile, over on Barber Street, Pylon played at a party.
On this day in 1981, Johnny Hibbert released the ‘Radio Free Europe’ single on his independent Hib-Tone label, with ‘Sitting Still’ as the B-side. Upon returning from New York, the band were less than impressed with the result.
On this day in 2000, it was revealed that four disused railway trestle bridges in Athens, including the one featured on the rear sleeve of Murmur, were soon to be dismantled. The structure was torn down and replaced by a replica in 2023.
On this day 35 years ago, R.E.M. appeared on the cover of Rolling Stone for the third time.
On this day in 1982, R.E.M. made their debut at the i & i Club in Athens. ‘Moral Kiosk’ and ‘We Walk’ were performed live for the first known time.
On this day 45 years ago, R.E.M. played The Bayou in Washington, D.C., supporting the Gang of Four.
On this day in 1985, R.E.M. performed acoustically for MTV's The Cutting Edge. The show was recorded at I.R.S. Records’ offices in Hollywood. Wendell Gee was given a live debut, having been written that day.
On this day 41 years ago, R.E.M.’s third studio album, Fables of the Reconstruction, was released.
Michael and Courtney Love at the MTV Movie Awards in Culver City, California, on this day in 1994. The former presented Tom Hanks with the award for Best Male Performance for his role in Philadelphia. Earlier in the day, Thurston Moore recorded his vocal for 'Crush With Eyeliner'.
A couple of photos of the band from this day in 1983 in Chicago, taken by Paul Natkin.