On this day in 1985, R.E.M. played UGA’s Legion Field for the first date of the Pre-Construction Tour. In front of around 10,000 people, the band gave live debuts to ‘Green Grow the Rushes’, ‘Last Date’ and ‘When I Was Young’ (later renamed ‘I Believe’).
On this day in 1982, R.E.M. played Clutch Cargos in Detroit, Michigan. “Four people showed up," said Peter. "We took all four of them to a Greek restaurant [afterwards].” In 2015, Mike told me it was “maybe eight” people in attendance, and that the restaurant was called Greektown.
The cover of Rolling Stone from this day in 1989. www.rollingstone.com/music/music-...
On this day 30 years ago, after completing its obligation to I.R.S., R.E.M. signed a five-album deal with Warner Bros., reportedly worth $10 million. “Well, goddamn, don’t you get a raise when you work somewhere for five years?” inquired Mike.
On this day in 1980, the band played its first gig as R.E.M.,
at the 11.11 Koffee Club on West Clayton Street.
Recorded on this day 30 years ago.
On this day in 1984, Reckoning was released. Produced by Don Dixon and Mitch Easter, it peaked at 27 and spent over a year on the chart. "There’s a country song, a funeral chant, ballads, rocket rockers and some incoherent stuff. We didn’t follow up Murmur with the record everyone expected." - Peter
Comedy gold from Easter.
On this day in 1981, R.E.M. recorded 'Radio Free Europe', 'Sitting Still' and 'White Tornado' with a 26-year-old Mitch Easter at his Drive-In Studio in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The studio was part of Easter's parents' home.
@millsish.bsky.social, I know it was tongue in cheek, but do you remember if I.R.S. paid for the band to stay in a hotel during the month-long sessions for Murmur and Reckoning? Hopefully you weren’t confined to the van.
On this day in 1982, R.E.M. were at the I.R.S. offices in New York to sign a five-album contract with the indie label. Ian Copeland agreed to sign R.E.M. if his brother, Miles, signed the Bangles to his Faulty Products label.
Soon to appear on a Reddit near you: On this day in 1983, R.E.M. released their debut album, Murmur. It was produced by Mitch Easter and Don Dixon.
On this day in 1983, R.E.M. played the University of Western Ontario in Canada. “A sea of blank faces stared up at us. After five songs, they started throwing things at us. If we expect anything from our audience, it’s a reaction, and any reaction is better than indifference. Even being booed.” - PB
On this day in 1991, R.E.M. made their first appearance on MTV Unplugged. The broadcast was whittled down to eleven songs, omitting ‘Fretless’, ‘Swan Swan H’, ‘Get Up’ and ‘Endgame’.
On this day in 1984, the band's second album, Reckoning, was released. Produced by Don Dixon and Mitch Easter, it peaked at number 27 on the Billboard 200.
A couple of photos taken around Athens on this day in 1985 by Paul Natkin. natkin.net
On this day 46 years ago, Twisted Kites (or Cans of Piss or Third Wave or Negro Eyes) made their debut as a band at St. Mary's Episcopal Church in Athens, Georgia, for Kathleen O'Brien's 20th birthday party.
On this day in 1999, R.E.M. began a two-day recording session for ‘The Great Beyond’ and ‘Draggin’ the Line’ at John Keane Studio in Athens.
On this day 45 years ago, R.E.M. played New York, New York in Augusta, Georgia. ‘9-9’ was performed live for the first known time.
On this day in 2008, Accelerate, R.E.M.’s fourteenth studio album, was released.
On this day in 1981, R.E.M. played Friday’s in Greensboro, North Carolina. Mitch Easter was one of the 150 people at the gig and spoke to Jefferson Holt, giving him a big pitch. He wanted them to come back to the Drive-In because he liked them so much.
Rough mixes of 'You Are the Everything' and 'Stand' from Robbie Collins' Underground Sound Recording, Athens, in 1988. bmac.libs.uga.edu/Detail/objec...
On this day in 1983, R.E.M. played the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, supporting The English Beat. ‘Talk About the Passion’ and ‘Harborcoat’ were performed live for the known first time.
On this day in 1984, ‘So. Central Rain’ was released as the first single off Reckoning with ‘King of the Road’ as the B-side on the 7” release and ‘Voice of Harold’ and ‘Pale Blue Eyes’ on the 12” version.
On this day in 1987, R.E.M. (as Roar Shack for the evening) played The Uptown Lounge in Athens to try out new material before recording Document. Four songs were given their first live airing: 'Welcome to the Occupation', 'Disturbance at the Heron House', 'Exhuming McCarthy' and 'End of the World'.
Not that Charlie Rose's opinion counted for anything.
A photo from this day in 1984, at the Rathskeller (the Rat) in Kenmore Square, Boston.
On this day in 1984, R.E.M. played Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, supported by Hüsker Dü. To make up for the poor sound in the sports hall, the band arranged a show for the following night at the Rathskeller in Boston.
On this day in 1983, R.E.M. made their final appearance at the i & i Club at 286 Oconee Street in Athens. The former location of the B&L Warehouse, it became the short-lived Buckhead Beach. Lunch Paper began at the location in 1984. It currently houses the University of Georgia Police Department.
