They say it's your birthday...

it's REM's birthday too, yeah.

I'm glad it's your birthday. Happy birthday to you.

That's right musicologists. Today is the birthday/anniversary of one of Athens, Georgia's finest contributions to the rock and roll world. By which, of course, I mean the one and only REM.

April 5, 1980: Debuting as the “Twisted Kites,” R.E.M. plays its first show in its Athens, Georgia, hometown. They perform at a party in a converted church that serves as the group’s rehearsal space.

I had the luck of watching REM play in Athens several years later alongside a band you may have heard of called the Ramones. There wasn't a whole lot of decent music being played in the mid-late 80's, but these two groups were rock solid.

I still think Murmur is my favorite REM album. And, although in my opinion they jumped the shark when they started teaming up with the B-52's for songs like "Shiny Happy People" I will always be glad they were around to keep rock alive until Nirvana could come along and knock UB40, Debbie Gibson, Tiffany and all those crappy 80's bands on their ass once and for all.

And, you have to admit, "What's the Frequency Kenneth" (off of Monster) was a pretty kick ass song. It rocked and it ridiculed Dan Rather. What more could you ask for?

So happy birthday REM. And if you should share a April 5th birthday?

Then a happy birthday to you as well.

posted by Jack M. at 02:31 PM

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