MUSIC CONCERTS

R.E.M

A group formed by people who met at a record store and had the same interests in Punk rock music. They gathered friends and formed their band which was unnamed and performed at local parties and venues. Hiring a clerk at a music store as their manager and called themselves R.E.M after which the scientist who coined the term for REM sleep contacted them. They cleared the fact that the band did not represent that. Their first single Chronic Town was circulated heavily and was sold out quickly. Their demand grew and they were able to make a deal with I.R.S records. They released their debut album Murmur in 1983. The album charted at number 26 on Billboard 200. Their second album Reckoning too charted very well in the US at number 27 on the charts. However, they were not as popular in the UK since they did not have means of international advertising. Their Third album Fables of the Reconstruction was not much of a success. They toured Europe and Canada to promote the same but received mixed reactions. Their next album, Life’s Rich Pageant, was very successful among audiences and critics. They followed this up with the very acclaimed Document which consisted of openly political statements. This boldness helped them achieve a breakthrough. However, their international acclaim came with a new Record label as well as an album called Green. Launching them into worldwide fame they even toured to promote the album. Their following albums Out of Time, Automatic for the People, Monster, and New Adventures in Hi-Fi were all commercial hits. They disbanded in 2011 amicably.

The concert here is from February 20, 1981, in the 688 clubs Atlanta GA. They can be seen performing their new track Radio Free Europe and many other songs.