Top 13 R.E.M. Career Highlights Bands/Musicians
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Top 13 R.E.M. Career Highlights

Music Lover Music Lover 4,546 views 13 items 6 voters
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.

    BUY @ amazon
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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."

    BUY @ amazon
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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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    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.
    BUY @ amazon
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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.
    BUY @ amazon

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  1. LaurieM
    Top 13 R.E.M. Career Highlights at 9/21/2011 2:55 PM
    'Murmur' is among my top 5 albums of all time. Thank you, R.E.M., for decades of incredible music and especially for the live shows!

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