The 35th anniversary of R.E.M.'s Document album is being celebrated by the syndicated radio show In The Studio With Redbeard: The Stories Behind History's Greatest Rock Bands.
Redbeard had this to say, "Document was the mainstream breakthrough for R.E.M. in a five album stubbornly eclectic alternate route to the top of the US album sales chart in September 1987. My conversations with R.E.M. lead singer Michael Stipe and particularly with lead guitarist Peter Buck about those early IRS Records reveal a band remarkably cohesive and certain about its vision. This interview includes the earliest days of the Athens GA R.E.M. with songs from their first five full albums Murmur ( a perennial 'desert island disc' for me, released April 1983 ), Reckoning a year later peaking at #27 on Billboard, Fables of the Reconstruction, Life's Rich Pageant, & their biggest seller to that point, Document in September 1987.
"'We played for $40 a night for years,' R.E.M. guitarist Peter Buck says matter-of-factly.'There were many $8 nights. Yet we never lost money on a tour. We'd always start in Athens GA, and make $800. And then we'd go to North Carolina and make $300. Then when we got out of that area we'd open for somebody, and they'd give us $50 or $100 to open for Bow Wow Wow in Detroit.'
"R.E.M. Murmur quietly emerged Spring 1983 and has never left my essential music list, along with its follow-up Reckoning. Songs include 'Radio Free Europe','South Central Rain','Can't Get There from Here','Driver 8″, 'Fall on Me', and four from R.E.M.'s Document, 'Finest Worksong', 'It's the End of the World as We Know It', 'Welcome to the Occupation', and 'The One I Love'. This edition of In the Studio lovingly dedicated to the memory of Barney Kilpatrick, who tirelessly promoted all of these albums for R.E.M." Stream the episode here.
Two Of R.E.M.'s Long Out-Of-Print Albums Set For Vinyl Reissue
R.E.M. In the Studio for Automatic For the People's 30th Anniversary
R.E.M. In The Studio For Document 35th Anniversary
R.E.M. Announce Radio Free Europe 40th Anniversary Reissue
Travel News, Trips and Tips: Road Trip Essentials
Hot In The City: Carin Leon Will Open For The Rolling Stones in Arizona
Caught In The Act: Ministry Rocks Chicago
Sammy (Hagar) Super Sunday Coming To TV
Anthrax Reuniting With Dan Lilker For Upcoming Live Dates
NEEDTOBREATHE To Livestream Red Rocks Concert
Bruce Dickinson Making Appearance At WonderCon For
Joe Bonamassa Plays Jimi Hendrix's A Vintage 'Band of Gypsys' Rig At Nerdville
Vampire Weekend Stream 'Mary Boone' Visualizer
Paul Di'Anno's Warhorse Deliver 'Stop The War' EP
The Exies Return With 'For What It's Worth'