R.E.M. - Radio Free Europe + So. Central Rain (Hifi Mono) [10-6-83] 

Et tu? "Owned me as a teenager" I wish I'd written that.

Into a Fender, no less. I always think Rick+Vox was his sound, but he used many amps on the albums.

I'm a Fender guy, have a P & J, but always wanted a Rickie. But realistically, I don't need one. I can get that Rickie growl from my Jazz bass. But damn, they're gorgeous instruments. People notice you when you're playing one.

That hum during the interview between songs is the unmistakable sound of a Ric at idle. I have a '73 just like that one and it isn't quiet.

Very well said also very true

agree

They toured and performed live a lot during this time. And they played songs that hadn't been released, yet. So, they worked out the songs in live performances and generally knew the audience's reaction before releasing it. The other song they played that night was So. Central Rain, which was on their following album.

now they can't anything right

All I could think about was how Letterman respected Michael Stipe's resistance to being in the spotlight. Dude was stealthy back there.

Dave mentioned the B-52's first

I had to watch the vocal dynamics in and away from the mic to see if it matched the track (always the quickest tell, even with compression), and it definitely is legit. I almost doubted it because of how good they sounded for live tv in 1983, both in the mix and the performance. Those guys were (are) pros.

I would have been scandalized to find they had used canned music, but it just sounded that good.

You can tell they were proud of this song...every reason to be so. The writing, lyrics...each member molded into this song perfectly. They knew they reached that magicical spot. (Radiofree Europe).

Mills will never look his age--even though he's grey now.

Hall of Fame!!!!

I saw Michael refuse to name the show prior to playing "So. Central Rain" during the Austin show that's shared here on RU-vid (Maybe Austin City Limits, I'm not sure). Why are you saying Peter is a "spazz"? (ugly word, to any one who has lived in Australia, anyways off topic....). Genuinely curious, is he unfriendly in person, and that's why you called him that? Edit: Here's the link to "South Central Rain" : ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-i_BKgHQMldY.htmlsi=qitZFdL5FuaB-ALY. I love the way Michael doesn't mention David Letterman❣️ Ha ha ha 🤣🤣🤣

It was agreed beforehand that Letterman would only speak to one member of the band, which was Buck. He obviously chose to speak to Mills as well but none of this had to do with any of the reasons you cite.

In interviews his band mates have said Stipe was incredibly shy. It was explained to Letterman and he left him alone. No disrespect.