40 years ago today (2/8/81), R.E.M. made their first ever-recording sessions at Bombay Studios Smyrna, Georgia. The tracks the Athens four-piece put to tape included ‘Gardening At Night’, ‘Radio Free Europe’ and ‘(Don’t Go Back To) Rockville.’ “Radio Free Europe”would become their debut single released on the short-lived independent record label Hib-Tone. R.E.M.’s debut EP Chronic Town would be released later on 8/24/82. Check out that original version of the single here…
