99Rock Music News:  R.E.M. Television Debut

R.E.M. made their national television debut on Late Night With David Letterman on October 6, 1983.  The band from Athens, Georgia played Radio Free Europe and So. Central Rain (I'm Sorry).

According to Rolling Stone, R.E.M. was one of the few bands that performed the song on their own and not with Paul Shaffer and the World's Most Dangerous Band.

The videos are quite the throwback.  Both with the band's fashion choices and Michael Stipe's hair.  They were promoting their debut Murmur album.  The record was critically acclaimed, but did not achieve the commercial success of many of their later releases.