AceShowbiz - On Thursday night, June 13 at the Songwriters Hall of Fame Ceremony in New York City, the original four members of R.E.M. performed together publicly for the first time in nearly three decades.

Singer Michael Stipe, alongside bandmates Peter Buck, Mike Mills, and Bill Berry, delivered a heartfelt five-minute speech expressing their gratitude for the honor and acknowledging the people who supported them throughout their career.

The band's appearance concluded with a stripped-down acoustic performance of their breakthrough song, "Losing My Religion" (1987). Guitarist Buck played mandolin, bassist Mills sang harmony on a 12-string acoustic guitar and former drummer Berry provided percussion.

Prior to their performance, country music star Jason Isbell performed R.E.M.'s polysyllabic hit, "It's the End of the World as We Know It (and I Feel Fine)" (1987), to which Stipe responded, "I can't believe you chose that song to cover."

In his speech, Stipe emphasized the importance of owning their master recordings and songwriting credits equally, setting the band apart and leading to their success. He also expressed his pride in their songwriting legacy, stating, "Writing songs and having a catalog of work that we're all proud of - that is out there for the rest of the world for the rest of time - is hands-down the most important aspect of what we did."

R.E.M. was inducted into the hall this year alongside Steely Dan, producer Timbaland and songwriters Hillary Lindsey and Dean Pitchford.