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.

 

Fleetwood Mac: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 1998

Rock Hall Bio: http://rockhall.com/inductees/fleetwood-mac/bio/

Fleetwood Mac began as a blues band and experienced some early success as part of the blues-rock boom of the late 60s.

Black Magic Woman (1968): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hRu7Pt42x6Y

Albatross (1969): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Viqr6KHwJjc&feature=fvwrel

Oh Well (1969): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNsFVoLzNsc

Around 1970, they transitioned away from the blues and did not experience real success again until Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks joined the band.

Rhiannon (1976): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_aYibUx1B8

Say You Love Me (1976): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5uN9bTRDOtk

The group dynamics included two couples splitting up. This dramatically impacted their Rumours Album which connected with people as divorce rates exploded.

Go Your Own Way (1976): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0GN2kpBoFs4

Dreams (1977): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YEi7GPkxfsE

Don’t Stop (1977): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8arvEzHsA8

You Make Lovin’ Fun (1977): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vFZMgf6M5KM

They moved away from the Rumours sound with Tusk.

Tusk w/ USC band (1979): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MT7W8xJFl_g

The 80s brought more hits and some solo work.

Gypsy (1982): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3oWIF2n4ZLs

Big Love (1987): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rjKL469SpR0

Little Lies (1987): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kyE4CLM0QIA

The band disbanded, but reunited for the Clinton Inaugural. Governor Bill Clinton used “Don’t Stop” as his campaign theme song.

Clinton Inaugural: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A3JA1nWPFqM

They released a live album in 1997.

Silver Springs (1997): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ud2XKt2N8fs

Christie McVie retired and the band continues to tour.

 

Ted Nugent: Kiss My Ass (1995)

1995's Spirit of the Wild marked Ted Nugent's return to his old school hard rock sound. The album really bared Ted's soul and included odes to hunting and politics. "Kiss My Ass" is Ted's response to the political class and culture of the time. It makes for an interesting listen because of all the individuals Ted tells to "kiss his ass" as well as putting forth Ted's own political views. Those facing Ted's wrath include: Gang bangers, Janet Reno, Bill and Hillary Clinton, Jesse Jackson, the IRS, Howard Stern, the U.N., liberals, Sarah Brady, Beavis and Butthead, Courtney Love, and the Crips and Bloods. Politically, he attacks animal rights activists, hippies, professional protesters, vegans, and incest.

Warning: Song may offend some....especially those of the progressive persuasion.

Studio:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C26qUC26ju4

Live:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DCseFm6a2EY