Life As A Rockstar - R.E.M.'s Mike Mills and Bertis Downs on Music, Fame, Business & more

On this Walker Webcast, our host, Willy Walker, has a behind-the-scenes discussion with R.E.M.’s Mike Mills and manager Bertis Downs. R.E.M.'s music took the world by storm in the 1990s with hits such as “Losing My Religion” and “Everybody Hurts” and record sales of over 90 million. Watch now to hear about their journey from Athens, Georgia to the world stage, building a business and iconic brand, the inspiration behind various hit songs, and much more.

1:02 Willy introduces guests, Bertis and Mike.
3:05 REM’s journey of getting going as a band.
4:23 The story of Ingrid Schorr and“(Don’t Go Back To) Rockville”.
5:20 Opening for The Police and the New Music movement.
7:04 Bertis becoming a non-musical member of REM.
9:10 Building momentum and when REM reached a new level of success.
11:35 How they worked as a band group as they emerged in success.
16:00 Nerves before a show—from both the band and the business side.
19:47 Annual meetings, business, and hanging as friends.
21:48 What comes first, music or lyrics?
24:15 Veto rights
25:55 Willy meeting REM, Paraguay, and playing for indigenous peoples.
33:37 Accelerating to rock stars, how the world was different, and penetrating global barriers.
36:13 Worlds changing as REM was getting busier.
38:55 The Warner Brothers contract and the freedom from keeping full creative control.
42:55 What period was the most fun for the band?
47:52 Recalling the 1990s and 2000s.
50:10 U2 and REM—the similarities and differences in operating as bands.
54:24 Intellectual property rights, streaming, and rewarding artists today.

Listen now!

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