R.E.M.: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 2007 part 2

R.E.M. (1987-1997)

REM broke into the mainstream in 1987.

Document (1987)

Stipe worried that their breakthrough single was too mean spirited. At the same time, he wanted to write a song with the word love in it without it being a typical love song.

The One I Love (1987): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7oQEPfe-O8

It's The End of the World As We Know It (1987): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0GFRcFm-aY

Finest Worksong (1988): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=559eWB93jW4

The album also featured the band's most overtly political lyrics, which evolved in reaction to Ronald Reagan.

Welcome to the Occupation (1987): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eb6gsv3F3Ek

Their success led Rolling Stone magazine to declare REM "America's Best Rock n Roll Band."

REM left IRS for Warner Brothers when their contract expired.

IRS released a "Best of" album Eponymous (1988) before REM left the label.

Green (1988)

Orange Crush (1988): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_mSmOcmk7uQ

Stand (1988): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AKKqLl_ZEEY

Pop Song '89 (1989): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xjMwfDFypa4

Then, everything changed. REM became one of the biggest bands in the universe.

Out of Time (1991)

Losing My Religion (1991): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=if-UzXIQ5vw

Shiny Happy People (1991): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iCQ0vDAbF7s

REM won a boat load of awards for Out of Time, but did not tour.

Unplugged (1992): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FdgLC0-03tY

Led Zeppelin's John Paul Jones helped do some arraignments on REM's next album, which focused on death and mortality.

Automatic For The People (1992)

Drive (1992): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQN7A6Vl1H4

Man on the Moon (1992): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1hKSYgOGtos

Everybody Hurts (1993): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ijZRCIrTgQc

Nightswimming (1993): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ahJ6Kh8klM4

Clinton Inauguration (1993): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pLucca7rt_8

REM decided not to tour and recorded another album, which was more guitar oriented.

Monster (1994)

What's The Frequency Kenneth (1994): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jWkMhCLkVOg

Bang and Blame (1994): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8FNfB6WfwM4

Crush with Eyeliner (1995): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ycvJHQUqU1M

Star 69 (1995): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K1dLr9uyfM0

They finally toured and recorded as they went along. The music industry, and REM, was at its height. They signed the most lucrative contract in recording history. The music industry would not survive the new millennium.

New Adventures in Hi-Fi (1996)

Bittersweet Me (1996): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-R2hvKDFLHE

Touring proved amazingly taxing on REM. Bill Berry suffered from an aneurysm and collapsed on stage. Michael Stipe had emergency hernia surgery. Mike Mills had abdominal surgery. They also fired their manager after a sexual harassment charge. In 1997, Berry decided to retire.  In the wake of Berry's announcement, Stipe compared REM to a three-legged dog.