R.E.M. Reunites and Gives Rare Performance of 'Losing My Religion' at Songwriters Hall of Fame Induction
"What a ride it has been," frontman Michael Stipe said at the ceremony, which featured his band's first performance in 17 years
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Michael Stipe, Peter Buck, Bill Berry and Mike Mills of R.E.M. at the Songwriters Hall of Fame Induction and Awards Gala in New York City on June 12, 2024R.E.M. reunited Thursday night at the Songwriter Hall of Fame
It was their first performance together in 17 years
The group officially disbanded in 2011
R.E.M. were among the stars inducted into the 2024 Songwriters Hall of Fame on Thursday, June 13, and marked the occasion by performing for the first time together in 17 years.
The Grammy-winning band — made up of lead vocalist Michael Stipe, guitarist Peter Buck, bassist Mike Mills and drummer Bill Berry — reunited for the 53rd annual Induction and Awards Dinner, which took place at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York City.
PEOPLE was on hand for the ceremony. The band were recognized this year alongside Hillary Lindsey, Dean Pitchford and Timothy Mosley (a.k.a. Timbaland), as well as Donald Fagen and Walter Becker of Steely Dan.
The evening also saw Diane Warren received the prestigious Johnny Mercer Award, and SZA accept the Hal David Starlight Award.
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R.E.M. in Los Angeles in 1992Related: See Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban, SZA and More Arriving at the Songwriters Hall of Fame Gala
Formed as a college band in 1980 at the University of Georgia in Athens, R.E.M. helped take indie rock to the mainstream over the course of 15 studio albums with hits like "Losing My Religion," "Shiny Happy People," "Man on the Moon," "It's The End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine)," and "Everybody Hurts."
Berry left the band in 1997, two years after suffering a double brain aneurysm on stage in Switzerland. The group eventually disbanded in 2011.
Hours before the Songwriters Hall of Fame ceremony, during a conversation that aired on CBS Mornings, Mills, 65, insisted it would take "a comet" to get R.E.M. to perform together again. "It would never be as good," Buck, 67, said.
But without any reported disturbances in the sky, there R.E.M. were on stage again, coming back together to play an acoustic version of "Losing My Religion."
That song, released in 1991, became a breakout hit for the group, reaching No. 4 on the Billboard charts (their highest-charting hit in the United States) and winning two Grammy Awards.
"I loved the song, but we never thought it was gonna be a hit," Stipe, 64, said on CBS Mornings.
"It should not – it’s like a bumblebee. They, they shouldn't be able to fly. That song shouldn't have been a hit," Mills noted, Mason adding, "But, boy, did it fly."
L. Busacca/Getty
Mike Mills, Michael Stipe, Bill Berry and Peter Buck, of R.E.M., perform onstage during the 2024 Songwriters Hall of Fame Induction and Awards Gala on June 13, 2024Related: Timbaland, Steely Dan and Hillary Lindsey Among 2024 Songwriters Hall of Fame Inductees
R.E.M. had not performed since 2007, when they were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
At the Songwriters Hall of Fame on Thursday, another R.E.M. hit was featured: 1987's “It’s the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine)," which was performed by Grammy winner Jason Isbell.
"I’ve never said that many words that quickly in my whole life," he joked afterwards, as he introduced the band for their honor.
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Speaking about the induction, Stipe put special emphasis on the lasting relationship he and his bandmates have managed to have over the course of four decades.
“Writing songs and having a catalog of work that we’re all proud of that is out there for the whole world for the rest of time is hands down the most important aspect of what we did as a band,” Stipe said. “Second to that is that we managed to do so for all these decades and remain friends — and not just friends but dear friends, friends for life.”
"What a ride it has been," he added. "It truly means the world to us that you recognize us tonight. And for that, we thank you for this incredible honor."
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