For many (guilty) REM ruled their musical hearts and minds for an era.  We first caught them opening for Gang of Four at the Adams Theater in San Diego on 9-11-1982 (and later would accidentally–but thankfully–follow their tour across the south to California in September 1986), and would see them countless times thereafter.  At the Adams Theater in 1982, despite Michael Stipe having a broken leg and being rendered stool-bound (until he just couldn’t help himself), and a subsequent damaging and marching angular-guitar set from Gang of Four, we knew that REM would go on to be a force in music, and a great live band.  Their performances of the likes of Radio Free Europe and Catapult were all it took to suck us in forever.  Between Stipe’s vocals and manic energy, Peter Buck’s jangle-attack, and Mills and Buckner’s rousing rhythm section and vocal contributions (not to mention some of the best songs written), they were a stunningly great admix.

Newly-released (at least on YouTube) concert footage of the band performing in February 1981 gives a great feel for the early energy and alchemical cohesion of the band.  The video opens with Buddy Holly’s Rave On with Stipe doing his best Elvis Presley imitation (which he would fall into intermittently during the set).  A great historical vignette.   If nothing else, to get a feel for early Stipe and band, watch one minute from 11:00-12:00.  To be young….  Enjoy.

Below are set’s songs and times:

00:00 (cuts in) Rave On
01:37 Burning Down
05:43 Dangerous Times
08:17 All the Right Friends
13:00 Get on Their Way
15:54 Different Girl
19:25 Permanent Vacation
21:44 White Tornado
23:53 Narrator
27:00 Wind Out
28:45 Gardening at Night
32:36 Mystery to Me
34:36 Radio Free Europe

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=RiZW_Wlj8Kw