R.E.M. : Talk About the Passion : An Oral History (Updated Edition)
What Sullivan's oral history of alternative music giants R.E.M. ("Losing My Religion") lacks in intimacy, it more than makes up for in personality. Prevented from interviewing band members and their families, Sullivan went after old hometown friends, record-label business associates and members of bands that at one time or another shared a concert bill with Athens, Ga.'s favorite sons. The interviewees who seem distant from the band professionally are often more interesting and revealing in their recollections. Music writer Gina Arnold, folk artist Howard Finster and the band's "road friend" Georgiana Falzarano each offer uniquely personal portraits of the enigmatic band and their significance. That R.E.M.'s mainstream success soured many of their old fans and associates' affection reveals the most obvious flaw of this tack. Objectivity is nowhere to be found here. With the exception of Finster and Dexter Weaver, the Athens restaurateur whose slogan R.E.M. used to title its Automatic for the People album, all the interviewees blame the band's fame for a loss in their individual gains-free backstage passes, prime opening-band slots, employment opportunities. Still, Sullivan provdes an engaging study of American popular music.Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.