Not only is R.E.M. one of the most successful rock bands ever to come out of the United States, it is also the first rock band ever to perform on the stage of the Vienna State Opera.

Pioneers of alternative rock
R.E.M. was formed in 1980 by Michael Stipe, Bill Berry, Peter Buck and Mike Mills, who were all students at the University of Georgia at the time. Their first album, "Radio free Europe", became a hit thanks to ample airplay on college radio stations across the United States.

R.E.M. became pioneers of what was to become known as alternative rock and attracted a wide audience because of Stipe’s unique vocals and the band’s eclectic and surreal lyrics. The hit albums include "Monster" and "Green". Stipe has also become well known as an actor, film producer, poet and political activist.

The first rock band on the stage of the Vienna State Opera
In 1999, R.E.M. became the first rock band to perform in the Vienna State Opera during the Vienna Jazz Festival. As with jazz years before, Fritz Thom and the LPS team had to convince opera officials that it was the right venue for a band of R.E.M.’s calibre. With a support act from Patti Smith, the R.E.M. concert was a smashing success; Stipe later said it was one of the most unique places R.E.M. had ever performed in. As a souvenir of the historic night, Fritz presented Stipe and the band a small section of the State Opera’s parquet floor. A historical night for both band and venue.