The original four members of R.E.M.
performed together publicly for the first time in nearly three decades at the Songwriters Hall of Fame Ceremony inn New York on Thursday night. 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. The group then concluded their just-over-ten-minute appearance by performing their breakthrough song, 1987’s “Losing My Religion,” acoustically.
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. “Writing songs and having a catalog of work that we’re all proud of — that is out there for the rest of the world for the rest of time — is hands-down the most important aspect of what we did,” said singer Michael Stipe, who delivered the speech while his bandmates stood alongside him. “Second to that is that we managed to do so all those decades and remain friends — and not just friends, but dear friends.
” Following the format of the show — which sees one of the songwriter’s hits played by an influencee before an speech and honoree’s.