2024 Songwriters Hall Of Fame Induction And Awards Gala NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 13: Peter Buck, Mike Mills, Michael Stipe, and Bill Berry of R.E.M. attend the 2024 Songwriters Hall Of Fame Induction and Awards Gala at New York Marriott Marquis Hotel on June 13, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Joy Malone/Getty Images) (Joy Malone/Getty Images)
By Natalie Dreier, Cox Media Group National Content Desk
NEW YORK — It wasn’t the end of the world when R.E.M. performed in New York on Thursday night.
The band from Athens, Georgia, reunited at the Songwriters Hall of Fame gala to perform “Losing My Religion,” Billboard reported.
It’s the first time in about 16 years that the group sang together.
Before R.E.M. took the stage, Jason Isbell paid tribute to them, singing “It’s the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine).”
He said he was 10 years old when he learned how to play it.
“R.E.M. was greater than the sum of its parts. R.E.M. moved like a single instrument,” Isbell said, according to Billboard.
Michael Stipe, Mike Mills, Bill Berry and Peter Buck appeared on stage. Stipe was the band’s spokesperson, saying, “Writing songs and having a catalog of work that we’re all proud of that is out there for the rest of the world for all time is hands-down the most important aspect of what we did. Second to that is that we managed to do so all those decades and remain friends. And not just friends, dear friends,”
Stipe then said that the band went by the mantra, “All for one and one for all,” sharing songwriting credits and splitting royalties.
2024 Songwriters Hall of Fame Induction and Awards Gala NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 13: (L-R) Mike Mills, Michael Stipe, Bill Berry and Peter Buck, of R.E.M., perform onstage during the 2024 Songwriters Hall of Fame Induction and Awards Gala at New York Marriott Marquis Hotel on June 13, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for Songwriters Hall Of Fame) (Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for Songwriters Ha)
R.E.M. last played a full concert in November 2008 in Mexico City. It was their last public performance. There was also a private party for their manager Bertis Downs in 2016.
R.E.M. was joined in the Songwriters Hall of Fame class of 2024 by Steely Dan’s Donald Fagen and Walter Becker, Hillary Lindsey, Timbaland (Timothy Mosley) and Dean Pitchford.
Cindy Walker was inducted into the Hall of Fame in April, The Associated Press reported.
Through the years REM 1983 during Music File Photos 1980's at the Music File Photos 1980's in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Walter/WireImage) (Chris Walter/WireImage)
Through the years SAN FRANCISCO -November 10: Rock group REM poses backstage at the Kabuki Theater during the band's "Murmur" tour on November 11, 1983 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Randy Bachman/Getty Images) (Joel Selvin/Getty Images)
Through the years REM, Michael Stipe, Torhout Werchter Festival, Werchter, Belgium, 7th July 1985. (Photo by Gie Knaeps/Getty Images) (Gie Knaeps/Getty Images)
Through the years American rock band REM (American singer and songwriter Michael Stipe, American guitarist Peter Buck, American drummer Bill Berry, and American bass player Mike Mills) in the press room of the CMJ (College Music Journal) New Music Awards, held at the Beacon Theatre in New York City, New York, 9th November 1985. The band's album 'Fables of The Reconstruction� won the Album of the Year award. (Photo by Vinnie Zuffante/Getty Images) (Vinnie Zuffante/Getty Images)
Through the years R.E.M. 1987 (Photo by Chris Carroll/Corbis via Getty Images) (Chris Carroll/Corbis via Getty Images)
Through the years R.E.M. on 3/10/89 in Ames, Iowa. (Photo by Paul Natkin/WireImage) (Paul Natkin/WireImage)
Through the years Members of the band R.E.M., lead singer Michael Stipe, guitarist Peter Buck, bass guitarist Mike Mills, and drummer Bill Berry, accept the award for Best Alternative Music Album. 1992 (Photo by Rick Maiman/Sygma via Getty Images) (Rick Maiman/Rick Maiman)
Through the years American rock band R.E.M., composed by guitarist Peter Buck, lead vocalist Michael Stipe, bass guitarist Mike Mills and drummer and percussionist Bill Berry. 1995 (Photo by Santiago Bueno/Sygma via Getty Images) (Santiago Bueno/Sygma via Getty Images)
Through the years Staind performs on MTV Unplugged at the MTV studios in New York City. 5/21/01 Photo by Scott Gries/ImageDirect (Scott Gries/Getty Images)
Through the years REM's Michael Stipe and U2's Bono at the 1st Annual Entertainment Industry Foundation's "Love Rocks" concert to honor U2's Bono and launch EIF's National Cardiovascular Researce Initiative at the Kodak Theater in Los Angeles. Thursday, Feb. 14, 2002. Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images. (Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Through the years NEW YORK - OCTOBER 3: R.E.M. performs for the "NBC Today Show Toyota Concert Series" at Rockefeller Centre October 3, 2003 in New York City. (Photo by Mark Mainz/Getty Images) (Mark Mainz/Getty Images)
Through the years MADRID, SPAIN - OCTOBER 21: R.E.M. attends a photocall to present new album "In Time: The Best Of R.E.M. 1988-2003" October 21, 2003 at Hesperia Hotel in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Carlos Alvarez/Getty Images) (Carlos Alvarez/Getty Images)
Through the years PHILADELPHIA - OCTOBER 1: Bruce Springsteen and Michael Stipe of R.E.M. perform on stage during the Moveon.org Vote For Change Concert at the Wachovia Center October 1, 2004 in Philadelphia. (Photo by Scott Gries/Getty Images) (Scott Gries/Getty Images)
Through the years PERTH, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 08: REM Lead Singer Michael Stipe performs live on stage at Burswood Dome on April 08, 2005 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images) (Paul Kane/Getty Images)
Through the years NEW YORK - MARCH 12: (L-R) Mike Mills and Michael Stipe of R.E.M. perform with Eddie Vedder onstage at the 22nd annual Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel March 12, 2007 in New York City. (Photo by Scott Gries/Getty Images) (Scott Gries/Getty Images)
Through the years NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 13: (L-R) Mike Mills, Michael Stipe, Bill Berry and Peter Buck, of R.E.M., attend the 2024 Songwriters Hall of Fame Induction and Awards Gala at New York Marriott Marquis Hotel on June 13, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Gary Gershoff/Getty Images for Songwriters Hall Of Fame) (Gary Gershoff/Getty Images for Songwriters Hal)
Through the years NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 13: (L-R) Mike Mills, Michael Stipe, Bill Berry and Peter Buck, of R.E.M., perform onstage during the 2024 Songwriters Hall of Fame Induction and Awards Gala at New York Marriott Marquis Hotel on June 13, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for Songwriters Hall Of Fame) (Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for Songwriters Ha)