On Saturday night, the greatest band of the 80s and 90s, R.E.M, was inducted into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame in Atlanta. All four members were there (including departed drummer Bill Berry) and performed a 3-song set including “Begin the Begin,” “Losing My Religion” and “Man On the Moon.” This was actually not the first time all four of them have performed together since Bill left. Last Tuesday they showed up at the 40 Watt Club in Athens, GA and played “Begin the Begin” and “So. Central Rain,” (plus joined some local acts who performed other R.E.M. classics), and played a friend’s wedding last year.

Perhaps the bigger news, though, is that R.E.M. (Bill Berry included) just recorded a track for a charity album. Don’t get too excited. It’s a cover of John Lennon’s “No. 9 Dream.” But the idea that all four of them got together in the studio to record something is pretty significant. Will this lead to all four of them recording new material together? Perhaps they might even record enough for an album?

Let’s face it, from 1982 – 1996, R.E.M. released a tremendous string of albums that, I would argue, is the greatest in rock history. Except for Monster and Out of Time, every one of them is a flawless to near-flawless milestone. The three post-Berry albums since then have their moments, but they simply don’t rank in the same league…at all.

So will Bill come back? If he comes back, will they be great again? Personally, I’d rather R.E.M. quit making new albums than keep making the mediocre albums that are tarnishing their legacy. If having Bill back, though, would revitalize them, then I’m all for it.