Patti Smith and Michael Stipe.Photo: Cindy Ord/Getty
Patti Smithis celebrating the decades-long legacy of rock bandR.E.M.
The “Because the Night” singer-songwriter expressed admiration on Instagram Thursday for the Athens, Georgia-formed group, made up of lead vocalistMichael Stipe, drummer Bill Berry, guitarist Peter Buck, and bassist Mike Mills, in honor of the 42-year anniversary of the “Losing My Religion” performers' first concert as R.E.M.
“This is the 42nd anniversary of the incomparable REM. I fell in love with my first listen, still in love today,” wrote Smith, 75, alongside a photo of the band’s four members. “Thank you REM, for spinning art from chaos, forever raucous and sublime.”
The band’s officialInstagramaccount reshared Smith’s heartfelt post, calling the punk-rocker’s words “beautiful.” Earlier that day, R.E.M. posted its own celebratoryanniversary post, which featured photos of the band members performing their first show at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church.
“42 years ago on April 5, 1980, the band played their first show,” read the post’s caption. “@slphippstook these photos that historic night in Athens at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church on Oconee Street.”
Smith’s association with the members of R.E.M. goes back even further than the band’s existence. Speaking toRolling Stonefor a 2004 interview, Stipe, 62, said hearing theJust Kidsauthor’s work inspired him to start making music.
“I bought Patti Smith’sHorsesthe day it came out, stayed up all night listening to it on headphones, ate a bowl of cherries and threw up,” Stipe recalled. “I decided then that I was going to start a band.”
The two musicians' admiration for one another not only led to a friendship, but a collaborative artistic relationship, as they’ve worked on songs including R.E.M.’s “E-Bow the Letter” and “Blue” as well as Smith’sPeace and NoiseandGung Hoalbums.
source: people.com
