Radio Free Europe / Interview / South Central Rain
David Letterman’s departure has spawned a million top-10 lists, but there’s one thing everyone can agree on: One of the very best musical highlights was the first national TV appearance by R.E.M., back on Oct. 6, 1983.
R.E.M. played two songs — “Radio Free Europe” and a still untitled song that would later become “So. Central Rain” — and spent a couple minutes chatting with Letterman, who excitedly left his desk to talk with Mike Mills and Peter Buck.
Letterman would spend 33 years redefining late night. R.E.M. would spend 31 years reshaping American rock. The influence of both will resonate for years. Mike Mills had a fascinating view on it all — he not only talked to Letterman that first night, but he was playing on the show with Joseph Arthur on the evening when Letterman announced his retirement.
Mills’ perspective on Letterman’s last week, his stories from those many appearances over the years, and any advice he might have for someone walking away after three decades of success. Their first appearance on the David Letterman show was also their first national television appearance. This was not too long after “Murmur.” back then, it was really just Letterman, in that you’d never see a band on IRS play Johnny Carson.
Dave was always a big music fan and his staff always kept their eyes open for hot bands they could put on.
The Fat Angel Sings 