Late Show with David Letterman (R.E.M.)
R.E.M. made their international television debut on Late Night with David Letterman'' on October 6 1983. Since then, they have appeared on the host's reincarnation show,Late Show with David Letterman'', on five occasions to date.
Below is a list of each appearance, including the song(s) the band played:
1983
Date: October 6
- "Radio Free Europe"
- "So. Central Rain" (a song "too new to be named" at that point)
Personnel:
- Bill Berry - drums
- Peter Buck - guitar
- Mike Mills - bass, vocals
- Michael Stipe - vocals
"That was a really big week for me, as a shy person, just to present myself," Stipe explained on VH1's Behind the Music in 1998. "I had long hair and lots of layers of clothes that I could cloak myself in and sing the way that I talk, which is very distinct and articulate." To deflect attention, added narrator Jim Forbes, Stipe hid behind Buck when Letterman approached to interview the band. "He came across as maybe a little shy and awkward," explained music journalist Elysa Gardner. "He’s not a natural-born rock star, Michael Stipe, the way that we think of Mick Jagger or Bono."
“I just think he was always a big star,” explained Courtney Love, regarding Stipe. "He was working it,” she added, covering her face with her hair and launching into "7 Chinese Bros." (at which point, embarrassed by her knowledge of the lyrics, she quickly changed to "hair, hair, shair, shair"). And it was great, you just didn’t know what he was saying!”
1995
Date: June 23
- "Crush With Eyeliner"
Prior to the performance, a clip was shown of Dan Rather performing R.E.M.'s "What's the Frequency, Kenneth?" with the band during soundcheck at Madison Square Garden the previous night. The song's title refers to an incident in 1986, when Rather was assaulted William Tager and an accomplice. During the assault, Rather reported hearing the question "Kenneth, what is the frequency?" being asked repeatedly.
At the song's conclusion, Stipe paid tribute to the band's first appearance on the previous incarnation by sitting at the front of the drum stage by himself, just as he had done twelve years earlier (albeit with slightly less hair than he had in 1983).
Personnel:
- Bill Berry - drums
- Peter Buck - guitar
- Mike Mills - bass, vocals
- Michael Stipe - vocals
1998
Date: October 22
"Hey, get your own show!" demanded Letterman of Stipe, who the audience saw waiting in the wings and screamed accordingly. "Stick around, we're not gonna play the band!" Referring to the previous guest, former Baltimore Orioles third baseman Cal Ripken, Jr. - who had recently broken the record for consecutive appearances (2,131) in the major leagues - the host said, "I've done 2,132 shows in a row. You think anybody cares if one night I don't show up? Nobody cares. In fact, fifteen years ago this month, our next guests made their network television debut. I was here that night. Nobody remembers that I was there; all they care about is they were there," Letterman continued, pointing one of his vast collection of pencils in the band's direction. "Well, where have you guys been since, by the way?" Buck shrugged his shoulders and Stipe smiled. Letterman finally got around to introducing his next guests. "Please welcome a great rock'n'roll band - R.E.M."
- "Daysleeper"
- "Lotus" (broadcast the following night)
This was R.E.M.'s first live television appearance in three years.
Personnel:
R.E.M.
- Peter Buck - guitar, keyboards
- Mike Mills - bass, vocals
- Michael Stipe - vocals
Auxiliary musicians:
- Scott McCaughey - keyboards, acoustic guitar, vocals
- Ken Stringfellow - keyboards, vocals
- Joey Waronker - drums
1999
Date: December 13
- "The Great Beyond"
Personnel:
R.E.M.
- Peter Buck - guitar
- Mike Mills - bass, vocals
- Michael Stipe - vocals
Auxiliary musicians
*Scott McCaughey - keyboards, vocals
- Ken Stringfellow - keyboards, vocals
- Joey Waronker - drums
2001
Date: May 15
- "Imitation of Life"
"I shook Dave's hand," said a starstruck Michael Stipe afterwards, "for the first time in our career." Did he invite them over? "No, he comes to us; we don’t move."
Reveal, the album for which "Imitation of Life" was the lead single, was released in the U.S. earlier the same day.
Personnel:
R.E.M.
- Peter Buck - guitar
- Mike Mills - bass, vocals
- Michael Stipe - vocals
Auxiliary musicians
*Scott McCaughey - keyboards, acoustic guitar, vocals
- Ken Stringfellow - keyboards, vocals
- Joey Waronker - drums
2003
Date: October 2
- "Bad Day"
Personnel:
R.E.M.
- Peter Buck - guitar
- Mike Mills - bass, vocals
- Michael Stipe - vocals, harmonica
Auxiliary musicians
*Scott McCaughey - keyboards, guitar, vocals
- Bill Rieflin - drums
- Ken Stringfellow - keyboards, vocals