WATCH: R.E.M. Reunite at Songwriters Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony

Original lineup comes together for the first time in over 15 years to perform “Losing My Religion”

June 14, 2024June 14, 2024 Ron Hart 0 Comments Bill Berry, Jason Isbell, Losing My Religion, Michael Stipe, Mike Mills, Peter Buck, R.E.M., Reunion, Songwriters Hall of Fame

R.E.M. reunite at the Songwriters Hall of Fame induction ceremony in New York City June 14, 2024 (Image: Bertis Downs)

You truly never can say never in the world of rock ‘n’ roll.

Less than a day after telling Anthony Mason it would take a comet for them to play onstage as a band again on CBS Mornings, the original lineup of R.E.M. surprised everyone by reuniting at the Songwriters Hall of Fame induction ceremony on Thursday night.

It was the first time in over 15 years that Michael Stipe, Mike Mills, Peter Buck and Bill Berry performed together after Jason Isbell ushered them into the esteemed Hall at the Marriot Marquis Hotel in New York City. Much to the thrill of the audience before them, the band went on to play an unplugged version of their 1991 smash hit “Losing My Religion,” which was available in a video filmed from the crowd but has since been taken down (a snippet of the performance can still be viewed courtesy of Stereogum below).

VIDEO: R.E.M. on reuniting at the Songwriters Hall of Fame induction ceremony

“Writing songs and having a catalog of work that we’re all proud of—that is out there for the whole world for the rest of time—is hands down the most important aspect of what we did as a band,” Stipe said during the group’s acceptance speech. “Second to that is that we managed to do so for all these decades and remain friends, and not just friends, but dear friends—friends for life.” He added, “We are four people who, very early on, decided that we would own our own masters. We would split our royalties and songwriting credits equally. We were all for one and one for all. We set out to do our work accordingly. It turned out good, sometimes great, and what a ride it has been.”

At press time, the group proclaims there will be no further reunion activity beyond the ongoing reissue campaign of their back catalogue, the latest of which was the 2023 deluxe edition of their first album without Berry behind the drumkit, 1998’s Up.

The last time R.E.M. performed in an official capacity was in 2008 at Mexico City’s Auditorio Nacional. Prior to last night, however, all four members were seen together in February to check out Michael Shannon and Jason Narducy’s performance of 1983’s Murmur at the legendary 40 Watt Club in Athens, GA.