On April 19th in music history, one significant event took place in 1980. This was the day that R.E.M., one of the most influential alternative rock bands of all time, played their first-ever show at a friend's birthday party in Athens, Georgia.

The band, consisting of Michael Stipe (lead vocals), Peter Buck (guitar), Mike Mills (bass), and Bill Berry (drums), had only formed a few weeks prior and had been practicing in an abandoned church. They performed a mix of original songs and covers, including "God Save the Queen" by the Sex Pistols and "Secret Agent Man" by Johnny Rivers.

Little did they know that this humble beginning would lead to a career spanning over three decades, with numerous hit singles, critically acclaimed albums, and a dedicated fanbase worldwide. R.E.M.'s unique blend of jangly guitar riffs, poetic lyrics, and Stipe's distinctive vocals would go on to shape the sound of alternative rock in the 1980s and 1990s.

Some of their most iconic songs, such as "Losing My Religion," "Everybody Hurts," and "Shiny Happy People," would become anthems for a generation. The band's commitment to social and political activism, as well as their support for environmental causes, further endeared them to their fans.

R.E.M. disbanded amicably in 2011, leaving behind a rich legacy that continues to inspire musicians to this day. It all started on that fateful April 19th in 1980, when four friends took the stage at a birthday party, unaware that they were about to embark on a journey that would change the course of music history.