Top 13 R.E.M. Career Highlights By Music Lover [62 more lists]

R.E.M., one of the greatest alternative rock bands in music history, are calling it quits. Sadly, R.E.M. announced the breakup on the band's official website, saying that after more than three decades together, they had "decided to call it a day." Michael Stipe, Peter Buck, Mike Mills and Bill Berry made some incredible music together for 31 years. Yes, it's the end of the world as we know it (and I do not feel fine).

I thought it would be nice to take a look back at some of the greatest R.E.M. moments. Any band that's been together as long as R.E.M. is bound to have some major highlights. R.E.M. is no exception. This list is VoteRanked, so keep in mind that your votes help to determine the placement of these items.

And for those of you who are, like me, in mourning because R.E.M. broke up, take heart: The band leaves behind an amazing catalog of great music. Be sure to check out this list of the best R.E.M. albums and vote for your personal favorites!

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The Release of Murmur

R.E.M.'s debut album, 'Murmur,' was released on April 12,1983 on IRS Records, helping to usher in alternative rock in the U.S. Songs like "Radio Free Europe," and "Talk About the Passion" were standouts, but the album as a whole is just incredible. It's classic R.E.M., with haunting vocals from Michael Stipe, thought-provoking lyrics and chiming guitars. On October 6, 1983, R.E.M. made their national TV debut on 'Late Night With David Letterman,' performing "Radio Free Europe" and "So. Central Rain (I'm Sorry)," a song that would be included on the band's second album, 'Reckoning,' in 1984.

This was the album that hooked me, and so many others, on R.E.M. The band kept it coming, releasing 'Reckoning' a year later. Go back and listen to early R.E.M., if you haven't. And you're welcome.

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MTV Unplugged

R.E.M.'s performance on MTV 'Unplugged' was one of the more memorable in the show's history. On April 10, 1991, R.E.M. took the stage at Chelsea Studios and gave haunting acoustic performances of "Losing My Religion," "It's the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine)," "Belong" and "Fall on Me," among others.

Ten years later, R.E.M. once again took the 'Unplugged' stage, performing acoustic versions of classic hits (1987's "The One I Love" was a standout) and new songs from their album 'Reveal.'

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Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction

R.E.M. was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in March of 2007. Pearl Jam's Eddie Vedder inducted the band at New York's Waldorf-Astoria Hotel, giving an extraordinary speech honoring the band, noting that the band has "used every color in the palette...and painted this huge mural of music and sound and emotion."

All four original members of R.E.M. (including the retired Bill Berry) then took the stage and performed four songs, including "Gardening at Night," "Begin the Begin," "Man on the Moon" and a cover of The Stooges' "I Wanna Be Your Dog."

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Automatic Baby

In 1993, the musical universe aligned perfectly with the collaboration of R.E.M. and U2. The group, which included Michael Stipe, Mike Mills, Adam Clayton and Larry Mullen Jr., performed at the 1993 MTV Inaugural Ball on a stunning version of U2's song "One." Stipe's voice on "One" is amazing. I love Bono's voice too, but Stipe on this one is unbeatable.
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R.E.M. on Sesame Street

R.E.M. appeared on 'Sesame Street' in January of 1999 during the show's 30th season, performing the song "Furry Happy Monsters," a spoof of 'Out Of Time's' "Shiny Happy People." R.E.M. was even joined by the Kate Pierson Muppet for the segment. Very cute, and particularly fun to see Peter Buck jamming with happy (then sad, then happy again) Muppets.
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Losing My Religion

"Losing My Religion," a single from 1991's Grammy Award-winning "Out of Time" album, is arguably R.E.M.'s biggest commercial song success. The music video for "Losing My Religion" is definitely among the band's best. It won multiple MTV Video Music Awards, as well as a Grammy for Best Short Form Music Video.
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1991 MTV Video Music Awards

Michael Stipe and the other members of R.E.M. are very politically active. Stipe, in particular, is always quick to draw attention to causes he deems important. This was particularly apparent at the 1991 MTV Video Music Awards, when Stipe wore several shirts featuring a variety of different slogans on them, including a pink shirt that read "Love Knows No Color" (along with an AIDS awareness ribbon).

R.E.M. took home six VMA's for "Losing My Religion," including a Moonman for Best Breakthrough Video and another for Video of the Year.
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R.E.M. on Saturday Night Live

R.E.M. appeared as the musical guests on 'Saturday Night Live' a total of three times: in 1991, 1994 and 1999. Stipe also appeared in a skit in 1999 with Chris Kattan's Mango. Hilarious!
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Athens, Georgia: April 5, 1980

R.E.M. formed in Athens, Georgia, while founding members Michale Stipe, Peter Buck, Mike Mills and Bill Berry were all students there. April 5, 1980. Remember that date. Because that was the day that R.E.M. made it's big debut - performing songs by the Velvet Underground and the Monkees (under the name 'Twisted Kites') at a birthday party in St. Mary's Episcopal Church on Oconee Street in Athens. 'Entertainment Weekly' dubs this particular gig #60 on their '100 Greatest Moments in Rock Music.'

How fitting that R.E.M., one of the BEST party bands ever, gave it's first gig here (and don't go looking for St. Mary's if you visit Athens - sadly, the church was torn down in 1990 and the steeple is all that remains).

The band went on to perform later that year at Athens' 40 Watt Club - the first of many, many performances there that helped to put the nightspot on the map. Early recordings of the May 1980 performance exist, but no video.

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Vote for Change Tour

R.E.M. participated in the 2004 ""Vote for Change"" tour arranged by MoveOn.org. and designed to bolster support for Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry. Concerts were held in several key swing states, including Ohio and Florida. R.E.M. took the stage alongside other musical heavyweights Bruce Springsteen and John Fogerty.

Bands like Pearl Jam, Bright Eyes and Death Cab for Cutie also participated. R.E.M. performed songs like ""Man on the Moon"" with Springsteen and ""Begin the Begin"" with Eddie Vedder. Unreal.

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Everybody Hurts

In 1992, R.E.M. released the album 'Automatic for the People.' The album featured several singles that went on to be huge radio hits, including ""Man on the Moon,"" ""Drive"" and ""Everybody Hurts."" The video for ""Everybody Hurts,"" in particular, was classic R.E.M.: powerful, emotional and profound - a lesson in living with the constant awareness of one's mortality.

""Everybody Hurts"" has been used by the British charity group The Samaritans to raise awareness about, and provide support to those considering suicide. In 2010, more than 20 popular artists contributed to a cover of ""Everybody Hurts"" to raise money for victims of the devastating earthquake in Haiti.
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Bill Berry Retires

On March 1, 1995, R.E.M. drummer Bill Berry collapsed on stage during a Monster Tour concert in Switzerland. Berry suffered a brain aneurysm. After undergoing surgery, Berry made a full recovery. Unfortunately, the Monster Tour was plagued with problems for the band. Michael Stipe underwent surgery for a hernia and Mike Mills also had surgery for a complication from an appendectomy. The Monster Tour: Great success commercially, a total disaster personally, at least health-wise. In October of 1997, Berry retired from the band and took up farming in Georgia.

Berry did reunite with Michael Stipe, Peter Buck and Mike Mills a few times after his retirement. He participated in a now-legendary show at the bands old stomping grounds, the 40 Watt Club in Athens, Georgia, in September of 2006.
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The Break Up

On September 21, 2011, R.E.M. released a statement on their official website, confirming that the band was breaking up.

The message from R.E.M. read:

To our Fans and Friends: As R.E.M., and as lifelong friends and co-conspirators, we have decided to call it a day as a band. We walk away with a great sense of gratitude, of finality, and of astonishment at all we have accomplished. To anyone who ever felt touched by our music, our deepest thanks for listening.

Original band members also commented individually on the decision. Mike Mills, Michael Stipe and Peter Buck all expressed the utmost respect for each other, with Stipe saying the decision to split "wasn't an easy decision," adding that "we wanted to do it right, to do it our way."

And so it's over, but certainly not forgotten. Favorite R.E.M. moments are etched in my head, frozen in time forever.

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