R.E.M. made a surprise reunion and performed together for the first time in 16 years at the Songwriters Hall of Fame induction ceremony in New York. Michael Stipe, Mike Mills, Peter Buck, and Bill Berry took the stage to play a rendition of their iconic song “Losing My Religion.” This unexpected performance came just hours after Stipe mentioned in an interview that it would take something extraordinary for the band to reunite.
During the ceremony, Stipe expressed the importance of their songwriting and the pride they have in their body of work. He highlighted the fact that the band managed to maintain their friendship over the years, describing their bond as close and lasting. Stipe also mentioned the band’s decision early on to own their own masters, split royalties equally, and share songwriting credits, emphasizing their unity and collective approach to their music.
Prior to this reunion, R.E.M.’s last official concert took place in 2008 in Mexico City. Since their split in 2011, the band has released some rare tracks for charitable causes and recently started a reissue campaign, with the latest release being “Up.” Fans of the band have been thrilled by this unexpected performance and reunion after so many years.
For those interested in learning more about Michael Stipe’s musical influences and inspirations, they can revisit Ryan Dombal’s insightful interview with him. The interview provides a deeper look into the music that has shaped Stipe’s artistic journey and contributed to R.E.M.’s unique sound over the years.