My R.E.M. journey began the same way as many devoted to these brilliant four chaps who helped define college rock in the 1980s, and that’s through the radio. My work radio at Coles back in Australia usually rotated through mainly the 1990s hits of “Losing My Religion,” “Shiny Happy People,” “Man On The Moon” and “Everybody Hurts,” and I had a workmate who would stop what she was doing to listen to “Losing My Religion.” I had to find out more about this band. I was about 20 then, in 2022, when this happened.

We fast forward to 2023, and I met an American expat living in Australia named Suzanne Evans who was a huge fan of the band’s work from their early days until 1992’s Automatic for the People record, which does cover a great span of fantastic R.E.M. music in my opinion. Before she passed away in late 2025 due to ongoing autoimmune issues, I was passed on many artifacts from bands we both loved and shared interest in, including four pieces of 1992-era R.E.M. memorabilia:  A photo signed exclusively at the MTV 10 Years Performance; the instructions of how to get to the event; and other items that relate to personal details of the band found in the famed 40 Watt Club in Athens.

News of Suzanne’s death came to me very suddenly in the worst way possible, and I was shocked to my core and especially being on the autism spectrum, I had a very hard time coming to terms with the fact that she was gone. My dear friend who had told me so many tales, showed me her photo album of iconic R.E.M. landmarks, including the “Murmur Trestle” and Wendell Gee, who was a salesman if I am not mistaken.

R.E.M. holds a crucial spot in my life now more than ever (besides Rush) because it keeps Suzanne’s memory and spirit alive to me even though she is no longer here with me to keep sharing those memories. Every time I play their music, her spirit keeps going and she is there to encourage me to strive for my best.

I do community radio as a hobby, and I have always wanted to host the chaps on my show, “Grooves On The Record.” If I had the chance to interview Stipe, Buck, Mills and Berry on the same call, then it would be dedicated to Suzanne’s time on earth, as she guided me toward R.E.M.’s music in the first place.

So despite being born just one year after Reveal‘s release, I continue to see the band attract new fans all the time, including, like me, people who need help ushering their closest friends and loved ones with travel into “The Great Beyond.” Their music helps comfort people through the most difficult parts of their lives.

LIAM HAIR was born in 2002 — one year, as he likes to point out, after R.E.M.’s Reveal was released. Hailing from Geelong, Australia, Liam works two jobs, but his passion is appearing live on community radio station “94.7 The Pulse Geelong.” He currently has two different shows: “Grooves On The Record” and “Leemo & Josho.” Liam is very open about being on the autism spectrum, and knows this intersects with his specialty — arcane musical knowledge about his favorite artists, of which R.E.M. is certainly one!

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