REM surprised everyone by taking to the stage and playing together when they were inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. The four original members had not performed together since 2007. During the gala in New York, they performed one of their biggest hits, "Losing My Religion".
Songwriting is the very foundation and the reason we gathered for the first time, we are really proud, says singer Michael Stipe to AFP.
REM was formed when Michael Stipe, Peter Buck, Mike Mills, and Bill Berry attended college together in Georgia. The band split up in 2011, but original drummer Bill Berry left as early as 1997, two years after a brain haemorrhage during a tour. In a new interview with CBS, he becomes deeply moved when talking about the decision to leave.
I didn't regret it then, but in a way, later on, he says to CBS.
It was a strange time for me, and it became a strange time for the band as well.
The four of them say they are very good friends today.
