HOLY STIPE! R.E.M. REUNITES AT SONGWRITERS HALL GALA

R.E.M.'s four original members performed together last night (6/13) for the first time since 2007 as part of the annual Songwriters Hall of Fame honors in New York, where the group was enshrined in recognition of its massive influence on alternative rock of the 1980s and '90s.

While accepting the award at the Marriott Marquis hotel, singer Michael Stipe (pictured) said, “Writing songs and having a catalog of work we’re all proud of that is out there for the world for the rest of time is hands-down the most important aspect of what we did as a band.” Then, performing with retired drummer Bill Berry for the first time since their Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction 17 years ago, the quartet played its biggest hit, the 1991 crossover smash “Losing My Religion.”

Apart from the SHOF festivities, R.E.M. was already back in the news this week thanks to an interview with Anthony Mason of CBS, in which Stipe revealed that he still has all his shoes “from every tour, going back to 1980.” When Mason asked what it would take for the group, which broke up amicably in 2011, to reunite, bassist Mike Mills replied, "A comet." Berry countered, "Superglue."

Other SHOF inductees included Hillary Lindsey, Timbaland, Dean Pitchford and Walter Becker and Donald Fagen of Steely Dan, while Diane Warren received the Johnny Mercer Award. Separately, a SHOF event in Nashville inducted country writer Cindy Walker.

Deniece Williams sang her hit “Let’s Hear It for the Boy” and Kevin Bacon, with the Bacon Brothers, crooned “Footloose,” both '80s-defining songs written by Pitchford.

After longtime manager Irving Azoff praised Steely Dan as “among the best bands ever,” Phish guitarist Trey Anastasio tackled a medley of “Kid Charlemagne” and “Reelin’ in the Years.” He also saluted Fagen and Becker for writing “thought-provoking, elegantly melodic songs filled with beautifully flawed, deeply human and believable characters.”

SHOF chairman and Chic mastermind Nile Rodgers honored SZA with the Hal David Starlight Award, which is presented to young songwriters. SZA performed a delicate version of her hit “Snooze” and said the award “validates my entire career.”

Carrie Underwood shepherded Lindsey into the SHOF by singing “Jesus Take the Wheel” and by calling Lindsey “the queen of modern Nashville songwriting.”

SHOF inductee Missy Elliott praised her frequent collaborator Timbaland for “changing the cadence of hip-hop," after which the latter performed a medley of his hits, including “Big Pimpin’,” “Pony,” “SexyBack,” “Get Your Freak On,” “Drunk in Love,” “Promiscuous” and “Suit & Tie.”

Wrapping up the evening, Mercer Award recipient Paul Williams joked that Warren had written so many hits, A.I. was jealous of her. After she accepted her award, El Debarge closed the evening with “Rhythm of the Night,” Warren’s first major chart success.

Three gentlemen who know a thing or two about songwriting, Sony Music Publishing topper Jon Platt, hit tunesmith
Ashley Gorley and SMP Nashville boss Rusty Gaston, debate the lyrics to R.E.M.'s "Moral Kiosk."