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R.E.M.’s Original Lineup Performs Publicly for the First Time in Nearly Three Decades at Songwriters Hall of Fame Ceremony
The four founding members of R.E.M. performed publicly for the first time in decades Thirsday at the Songwriters Hall of Fame induction ceremony.
Singer Michael Stipe delivered a heartfelt five-minute speech on behalf of all four members that had a few gracious lines about their own relationship and work, but mostly included a long list of people who’d helped them along the way. In a characteristically understated appearance, the group — who were inducted into the hall this year along with Steely Dan, producer Timbaland and songwriters Hillary Lindsey and Dean Pitchford — showed their respect for the honor and the institution, their friendship and decades-long bond, and several dozen of the many people who’d helped them along the way. Turning more serious, he continued, “We are four people who very early on decided that we would own our own masters and we would split our royalties and songwriting credits equally — we were all for one and one for all,” a goal they attained in a remarkably short time for their era.
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