EDCOIVER
R E M E hA E3 E R
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ATING A 31-YEAR
LEGACY
fter three decades looming large as an interna
tional treasure and our most celebrated local
band, R.E.M. has decided to call it quits. We asked
members of the community—longtime fans, many
of whom have supported the band from the very
beginning—to reflect on the immeasurable influ
ence R.E.M. has had on this town and on their lives personally.
The response was that of resounding gratitude. Athens is for
ever indebted to R.E.M. for helping to create the framework for
our music scene, and we thank them for the music, the memo
ries and the continued support. Some of the quotes below are
excerpts from longer letters; for full content, plus additional
contributions, please see www.flagpole.com.
Gwen O'Looney, former Athens mayor
"To R.E.M. Athens, Ltd.: Thank you for your music legacy,
your values, your generosity and for keeping "Athens" a part
of your name, agenda and heart. You deserved every bit of the
fame and appreciation you received on the home, national and
world scenes. I know how hard you worked and what high stan
dards you required of yourselves. It was the constant ingredi
ent that made you rise to and remain at the top. You took your
assets and invested them in making our world a better place.
You made a difference!
To R.E.M., the guys: Congratulations! What a team you are!
Michael, Mike, Peter (and Bill), but also Bertis, Chris, Kevin,
Mercer, Sarah and all. I've watched as you grew up, dazzled the
world and handled growth, wealth and fame with integrity and
creativity. Whatever the future holds for each of you, you have
created a legacy and reputation of professionalism, honor and
productivity. Whatever new paths you choose, I know your tal
ents, experience and work ethic will lead to new achievements
and satisfactions. As individuals you are special people, and
I will watch with affection and pride as you pursue and fulfill
future goals. No doubt, we will all be surprised and impressed
at what each of you achieves in the next 30 years."
Maureen McLaughlin, longtime Athens
resident and friend of the band
"Yes, I was there the night that R.E.M. played at K.O.'s
birthday party. I thought the church was the weirdest place
I had ever seen. Into the front part of the building, someone
had inserted what looked to be the innards of an old single
wide trailer. The walls were made out of cardboard and the
kitchen was the finest low-grade plywood. In order to get to
the back of the church, we had to climb through someone's
closet on our hands and knees. No effort had been made to
make a passageway for the guests, so I remember shoving
aside stinky tennis shoes to get through the entrance hole.
Once inside the back of the building, it was magical. Large
portions of the roof were missing, and moonlight streamed in
through the holes, casting shadows from the kudzu that was
poking through all over the place. I remember that the floor
was soft, like litter under the trees in a fofest, although it
was probably just very rotten boards. The band was on a dais
that would originally have served as the altar area. Michael
S. was in front and center, as he would always come to be,
with Bill almost directly behind on the drum kit. Peter was
onstage right and Michael M. on stage left. Everything was in
place from that first night—the songs had yet to be written,
of course, but the relationship was there. The relationship
betweefi the four of them—and later the three of them—set
a righteous standard for other bands to emulate. The relation
ship between the band and the audience? Well, that was love
from the very beginning. They loved to play, and we loved to
listen; we passionately sang along, even when no one knew
the words, and beat out wild tattoos with our feet while sail
ing along with them to the place where all good music takes
its followers.
I have many wonderful memories of R.E.M: me and the boys
running down the street holding hands to reach a derelict
movie theater on Avenue F in New York City, scared to death
and laughing all the way. Trips in the van to Arcade on Sunday
afternoon, wondering which would go first, the engine or the
tires. (It was the tires.) Lots of food, like all the meals we
shared together, and the green bean casserole Bill made me.
Going grocery shopping with Mills and belting out songs with
KRGR Kroger Radio at four o'clock in the morning. Peter sign
ing a guitar for a charity event during a stressful time when
anyone else would have ignored my request. Finding huge
branches of flowers on my car from Michael S., left early in the
morning before R.E.M. once again hit the road. Being back-
stage in Baltimore, MD, where they had just finished playing
one of the early gigs on their first arena tour, opening for U2.
Those moments have continued all the way up to some stolen
minutes just a few days ago. R.E.M. the band may have called
it quits, but my admiration and love for Michael Stipe, Peter
Buck, Michael Mills and Bill Berry will never, ever end."
Cindy Wilson, singer of the The B-52s
"R.E.M. was a dynamo band that spoke for a generation.
One of those special groups that don't come around often. It
was a pleasure to listen to their music... a party band with a
conscience... and were innovators. They are leaving us with a
wealth of songs and memories, and they will be talked about
for a long time."
16 FLAGPOLE.COM • SEPTEMBER 28, 2011
