Athens Historical Society
Screens Rare R.E.M. Videos and
Examine R.E.M.’s Athens History and Impact

Sunday afternoon, October 21, 2007
Seney-Stovall Chapel
2:00 - 5:00 p.m.
 

On Sunday, October 21, 2007, the Athens Historical Society presented R.E.M. in Perspective: An Athens History. The event started at 2:00 p.m. in the historic Seney-Stovall Chapel at 201 North Milledge Avenue in Athens, Georgia, where R.E.M. just finished recording its latest studio album.

The program featured two previously unscreened vintage videos of R.E.M. and two panel discussions, as well as rare video clips relating to Athens compiled from R.E.M.’s own archives and recent performance footage.

The featured videos include an R.E.M. practice session recorded at Wuxtry Records in Atlanta prior to the release of their first record, and an early performance at the 688 Club in Atlanta. The video of the practice session, filmed by Wuxtry Records owner Dan Wall, is the earliest known footage of R.E.M. playing together as a band.

Biographer Tony Fletcher, author of Remarks Remade: The Story of R.E.M., will open the session with his observations on Athens’ place in R.E.M.’s history. A follow-up panel will discuss R.E.M.’s Athens musical and artistic roots. Panelists include producer John Keane, music blogger Frank White, Wuxtry Records owner Dan Wall, Athens music historian Paul Butchart, former manager of The B-52’s Maureen McLaughlin, with music journalist Mark Mobley, as moderator.

A second panel examined R.E.M.’s social, civic, political, economic and preservation impact on Athens and the world beyond. Scheduled participants were former Athens mayor Gwen O’Looney, community activist Tim Johnson, historic preservation advocate Smith Wilson, former 40 Watt Club co-owner and founder of Flagpole magazine Jared Bailey, Weaver D’s restaurant owner Dexter Weaver, with Athens historian and preservationist Milton Leathers, as moderator.

This program was taped for later broadcast and video release. To be notified when the DVD is released, email Athens Historical Society

The program from this event with brief biographies of the participants can be printed out by clicking here.

UPDATE: The video is nearing completion and should be out by June!

We will be glad to let you know when it's released! Just email us!

 

 

Webpage updated on 03/24/2008 by Windsor Press, webmaster. Thanks for stopping by!