[tweetmeme]By now you’ve heard about R.E.M.’s Mike Mills breaking the news of David Letterman’s retirement yesterday, but here’s the reason he was even there: Mills and former bandmate Peter Buck reunited on “The Late Show” to back Joseph Arthur’s performance of “Walk on the Wild Side,” part of the singer-songwriter’s new tribute to the late Lou Reed.
Mills’ involvement in the Letterman news is fitting, given that R.E.M. made its television debut on the host’s old show, “Late Night with David Letterman,” performing “Radio Free Europe” on Oct. 6, 1983.
Below, you can check out last night’s performance (via gotsome2008) as well as a short clip of Mills explaining his Tweet heard around the world, and, of course, R.E.M.’s classic 1983 TV debut.
Video: Joseph Arthur, Peter Buck and Mike Mills, “Walk on the Wild Side,” 4/3/14
Video: Mike Mills on breaking the news of Letterman’s retirement
Dave just announced his retirement #2015 #muchlovedave
— Mike Mills (@m_millsey) April 3, 2014
Video: R.E.M., “Radio Free Europe” on “Late Night with David Letterman,” 10/6/83
