R. E. M.: Talk about the Passion--An Oral History

This is the story of R.E.M.--whose most recent album sold over 14 million copies--as told by friends of the band, fellow musicians, and music industry insiders. Sullivan charts R.E.M's rise from an Athens, Georgia "party-band" to a politically active, world-renowned rock group who has influenced alternative bands for more than a decade. Includes a complete discography, photos, and line drawings.

"The voices of nearly sixty R.E.M. insiders—friends, musicians, producers, and industry colleagues—comprise an unusual, unadulterated history of one of rock's most innovative, integrity-driven bands. B"

Publishers Weekly

What Sullivan's oral history of alternative music giants R.E.M. (``Losing My Religion'') lacks in intimacy, it more than makes up for in personality. Prevented from interviewing band members and their families, Sullivan went after old hometown friends, record-label business associates and members of bands that at one time or another shared a concert bill with Athens, Ga.'s favorite sons. The interviewees who seem distant from the band professionally are often more interesting and revealing in their recollections. Music writer Gina Arnold, folk artist Howard Finster and the band's ``road friend'' Georgiana Falzarano each offer uniquely personal portraits of the enigmatic band and their significance. That R.E.M.'s mainstream success soured many of their old fans and associates' affection reveals the most obvious flaw of this tack. Objectivity is nowhere to be found here. With the exception of Finster and Dexter Weaver, the Athens restaurateur whose slogan R.E.M. used to title its Automatic for the People album, all the interviewees blame the band's fame for a loss in their individual gains-free backstage passes, prime opening-band slots, employment opportunities. Still, Sullivan provdes an engaging study of American popular music. (Dec.)

Denise Sullivan has worked as a DJ, as a columnist at the Contra Costa Times, as a journalist, and in the publicity and marketing areas of the record industry. She lives in San Francisco.