REM's Mike Mills Interview + Rockville solo acoustic

2-24-92

[@LOVEDAVEGAHAN]

The secret ingredient to REM and a lovely person.

[@grinningcheshire7695]

LOVEDAVEGAHAN agreed!

[@senorphilipe4242]

I met him an he was a total r sole

[@LOVEDAVEGAHAN]

@@senorphilipe4242 I doubt it, so many people have said otherwise. Maybe you were irritating him!

[@sofieewing5967]

he's always a gentleman,under-rated voice..I love this guy....

[@henry-joemurphy1286]

Super talented, down to earth, genuinely kind and very under-rated bass player. He plays with a pick, has great tone, feel and plays very interesting moving bass lines, deep in the pocket... Totally dig his playing... He did great on this... It's not his thing to be out front.

[@lull13]

Totally agree. Have any idea what kind of guitar that is he's using?

[@TNbear0126]

@@lull13 it looks like one of those Gibson J-180(?) Everly Brothers models with the star position markers and the double tortoiseshell pickguards. Google the make/model for better pics and see what you think. My buddy in Nashville had one of these models. It looked as good as it sounded. That’s my best guess. I think I see “Gibson” on the headstock and it seems to be the size/shape.

[@bjscorpio4041]

R.E.M was my favourite band as teenager. Later in the '90s, I ended up a bass player in metal/industrial bands and I was always told my playing style was very melodic for someone who played heavy music. I never realised it at the time but looking back now I know I had picked up so much of my bass style from countless hours of listening to R.E.M. albums.

[@spookerz35]

Good to hear, I think Mike is a great bass player.

[@JasonUmbrellabird]

me2

[@mikelawson6456]

Mike Mills is the man

[@talkingdonkey1817]

Yes, THIS was my musical hero back in the day. My friends would emulate Eddie Van Halen or Bruce Springsteen or others but not me. My fav was the guy who played every instrument he touched and was the driving bass and golden voice behind all the harmonies and counter melodies for REM, Mr. Mike Mills. One day I would like to shake his hand and thank him playing the soundtrack to my youth AND for inspiring me to pick up a guitar. Big love and respect from New England.

[@vincevirtua]

He was so successful at this point he was able to perfect the bowl cut.

[@mateuszminsky5619]

What up with his teef?

[@Xeyedjohn]

@@mateuszminsky5619 Back in the early 90's no one was perfect like they are now.

[@jenniferbice8998]

He looked better before he let his hair grow out in the mid-1990's.

[@queeniefox]

Oh bless him, he seemed nervous doing that! Had the pleasure of meeting Mike briefly last month and he's a top bloke, still a nice guy. :)

[@ann755]

Mike Mills is SO talented!

[@jenniferbice8998]

He has a beautiful voice too.

[@gregoryrogalsky6937]

One of my favourite REM songs.. Mike nailed it.

[@scottbelew7044]

He can definitely fight through anything if he can get through these yayhoos. Still, my favorite R.E.M. song ever in the history of ever.

[@StraightPunkEdge93]

I love that Mike looked like a schoolboy until his mid 30s lol

[@laursenmartin]

This is the best version of Rockville ever. Mike Mills is good with acustics. Gotta love R.E.M. - Accelerate is a good rocking album.

[@naberrieskywalker]

Thank you so much for this. I just love his version of Rockville.

[@KerreyTheBitterSugar]

he is beautiful! and has a really mellow voice...and is of course a brilliant musician ^^

[@saharab4431]

such a beautiful performance and wonderful interview

[@ConvalescentBliss]

I think R.E.M. is one of the few bands in history who's members have gotten better looking as their career has progressed.

[@jenniferbice8998]

Just Bill Berry. The other three looked better during the 1980's and early 1990's heyday.

[@vegetablehead]

When stipe lost his hair the world tilted slightly on its axis. But if you want to speak of one who has aged gracefully then may I suggest Adam Clayton.

[@MarilynCarino]

You got that right. I just made a record with the man, he is all soul and sweetness and a badass musician all around.

[@Issicra]

Wow... I never knew this ever existed, or even took place. Mike Mills is a class act, and Rockville is a great song. Don't recall the actual story about the song, but I'm pretty sure it was about Mike's college girlfriend that was moving to Maryland.

[@tpoleson]

Cool upload. How often do you see just the bass player (of any band) show up on a major talk show to promote an album? It's great that he had his time to shine, and it shows what a major contributor he was to the band.

[@TimTompkins]

Being a fan for 15 years I thought I'd seen everything of quality. Thanks so much for posting this

[@jerry1977]

mike mills the man is a hero !!!!!

[@Rheems1]

Mike MIlls has always been under rated as a singer but he has quite a nice voice... his backing on Shiny Happy People was great and he would have been super on Near Wild Heaven if Michael Stipe wouldn't have had to add his 2 cents...like the song be Mike's!! Either way, thank you for sharing...amazing the measures we took in the 90's to protect our cd's from shoplifting!!

[@mitchellcox1912]

He is a kick ass musician.

[@johnfields4414]

Thanks Mike, for all the wonderful music that became a great part of my youth.

[@ripspacer]

I am glad you posted this, I never saw it, I never knew...great on-the-spot delivery from Mike! Great long lost clip.

[@jonsmith9379]

love this guy..quite talented

[@colico14]

Clearly, Regis and Kathy Lee are longtime fans with a comprehensive knowledge and deeply passionate understanding of the band and its music.

[@bonconfidant7514]

LMAO Colin Sherritt !!... those 2 sure are astounding aficionados, aren't they? Really did their homework. And poor Mike! He had to face them all by himself and was such a good sport about the whole thing. That in itself was so endearing it nearly made me forget the pain of watching this grotesque little scene.

[@jasonkeith9317]

Lol.

[@apostrophe.t]

This is cool; thanks for putting it up! I love Mike Mills.

[@davidzasloff8797]

We already knew, of course, that Mike could sing - he sang backing vocals with Bill, and the backing vocal lines were one of the unique sounds in R.E.M. Mike sang lead every once in a while. R.E.M. could obviously have made some excellent music if Michael had left for some reason and they had put Mike on lead, but it wouldn’t have been quite so special. Some reviewers said that Michael’s voice was sort of the band’s lead instrument, since he tended to mumble in the early years, but he sure was fortunate to have Mike and Bill backing him up, and so were we in the audience.

[@abernste]

REM works so successfully for a number of important reasons but, agreeing with Eddie Vedder, Mike Mills is the secret weapon, and a real mensch.

[@kittihag1]

There you have it. The great lightness of Mike Mills:). A beauty. And Regis! And Kathy Lee! 🌞🌞🌞

[@lovemrj4ever]

I always had a crush on him...one of the greatest bassists evah!! 😊💖

[@debjones60]

Greta haha ..... how did I know I’d find you here Greta ...❤️🥰 our love of Mike Mills brings us here... 🥰🥰

[@lovemrj4ever]

Deb Jones 💖🎸👩‍❤️‍💋‍👩 smiles!! Glad we can share him👩‍❤️‍💋‍👩❤️!!

[@debjones60]

Greta Haha 😂...Yes, that sounds good. ❗️❤️🥰.

[@HumGuitar]

This is cool, but what really makes Mike shine is the way his and Michael Stipes voices blend in harmony.

[@smedz1960]

You've come a long way baby!

[@abeare9616]

Years ago as a student I went to see REM at the City Hall in Newcastle upon Tyne. Nipped into the bar to get a pint and Mike and Peter Buck arrived at the same time. I was a little star struck but I smiled at them and Mike said "Hi" and smiled back.

[@natobanatotoo]

I think I actually saw this live back in the day.

[@autoforthepeople]

Excellent!!! Hope he's singing more on the next album- he's the best!

[@karenjeankeller]

i love this song. i love this clip.

[@lenapter8752]

I have a recording with Mike Mills doing lead vocals..Michael Stipe harmonies Much better then studio version

[@zlat76]

Mike The MAN. The Brain of REM

[@Hrizzzz]

I remembered when this 1st aired and I recorded it on vhs then hooked my boom box up to the vcr to transfer the audio on a mix tape.

[@anitahardesty2163]

This popped up in my feed. Regis and Kathy Lee. Rem's secret weapon Mike Mills! Great guy to!

[@buckeyechad1]

Somehow, i seen this live back in the day. It was magical to me.

[@johnstout5623]

what a sweetie! He's singing the harmony part to the song even though he's solo!

[@greensombrero3641]

Brilliant! BRAVO!

[@jeffstafford818]

I found a few things interesting about this. The first being that he skipped the bridge in Don’t Go Back To Rockville. He got lost in the 2nd verse and started it by singing the 2nd part of the 1st verse. He muddled through. I didn’t even notice the first time I watched it. He covered it pretty well. I would havr never noticed any of this had I not been researching how to learn to play this song. I bet the band razzed him for this one later. The second is he played a song released in 1984 to promote an album released in 1991. That is not so surprising and more of a reminder of that is how REM rolled. Can you imagine Stipe in this role. I’m certain he flat out refused to do it.

[@asticou04]

Not to mention he came up with replacement lyrics off the cuff.

[@natividadgamarrapacheco5449]

Toca muy bien la guitarra.

[@makgamer]

Wow, what a rarity. Thanks a lot!

[@HumGuitar]

This was before Mike started to wear the bedazzled Elvis suits.

[@rodhamkatis]

My god, thanks for posting.

[@barbaracostello8187]

I love the internet. This is so awesome.

[@mistresselyria]

uhmm I met them in Chile and Peter was very cool with us.. Mike only signed our cds.. but I love him with all my heart ♥

[@ImaginaryGirl1321]

Podrán decir lo que quieran respecto a su voz, pero es bellísima, y muy peculiar, particularmente, me hiela la sangre... por otro lado, no puedo creer los comentarios despectivos, ¡qué mediocres! Él es un músico increíble, multi-instrumentista, cantante, y además es muy exitoso. Y es hermoso! por todo eso, no importa lo demás. Él parece un niño, es tan tierno...lo amo!

[@rcstafford1]

todo correcto. esta bien a ver opinioes de otros lados. muchas gracias....f

[@subwaygoddess1]

Sweetness and rock and roll ✌🎶🎸💙

[@johnmonohan3806]

Mike Mills is the fucking man

[@blechtman]

greatest asset to rem, seriously

[@jesseemullen]

Adorable!

[@dylantodd9574]

I actually saw this when it came out. It was the only time I actually sat down with my grandma to watch one of her talk shows... lol

[@likeaboss8512]

this is cool.. would LOVE to see him come to the MS Delta and talk about his career and perform ..

[@upoflive77]

I'm so proud, damn, yeah.

[@slpindigo]

This was great. I think it's the first time I really understood the lyrics (LOL)Glad to see Mike got his day in the sun there

[@thesillyone42]

my idol.....

[@alystyn]

wow, too cool, thanks for posting this! He missed my favorite line there, but a great job soloing!

[@sniffableandirresistble]

surreal

[@grinningcheshire7695]

Mike Mills is a great artist. All of those people saying bad stuff in the comments should consider context and circumstances.

[@greensombrero3641]

don't underestimate REM - one great band

[@mistresselyria]

amo a Mills

[@dspf68]

Mike Mills is straight up Great!!

[@natobanatotoo]

I think Mike wrote this whole song.

[@chuckschillingvideos]

Mike Mills is by far my favorite member of R.E.M. I had the rather illuminating occasion of meeting Peter Buck once and he proved himself to be quite the arrogant prick.

[@Psykel]

Hehe... First thing I thought when I watched this video was "Man, he looked like a dork back then". And then I remembered I looked kinda the same (a bit younger tho - I was seven) back in '92. :P

[@buzzcrushtrendkill]

Mike in his bowl cut nerdy years. LOL Great songwriter and exceptional bass player. But he sure seemed nervous and got forgot where he was in the song with the second verse. LOL

[@B.117th]

as always, ty chout : )

[@craighill388]

Before REM became mainstream, I heard them on probably a college radio station that I didn't normally get and don't remember ever getting it again...station was in VT and I live in SW NH close by, but not close enough I guess...anyway...VERY first song I ever heard of theirs was this one "Don't go back to Rockville." Blew me away. I'll never forget, 'discovering' this band and going into work the next Monday telling everyone about 'this new band called REM.' I said, THEY ARE GOING TO BE BIG! Guess I was right.

[@afterthisourexile6542]

Awww. So cute.

[@brysimm404]

The "10 year overnight success" story is much more common in entertainment than people realize.

[@frenchwv]

Mangled teeth and all. Thanks for posting.

[@badseed86]

thank you for posting that...If there s god you ll go to heaven

[@Hannahorse715]

I think Mike is the best looking of the four rem members I think though he would look better without the glasses

[@micahb2627]

Fuck. That is so awesome.

[@erichimes3062]

What a cool dude

[@jorgearanda8129]

Mike Mills, I think about John Paul Jones in Zeppelin. Very underated..

[@toterola451]

I guess we saw the reason Springsteen calls Mike "R.E.M.'s secret weapon". I got my ticket, I'll see them in Berkeley Sunday night. Good times!

[@bernlin2000]

@ConvalescentBliss Oh, they've always been in vogue, no matter what :-P

[@themooddisorders]

Mike Mills has a huge career ahead if REM breaks down

[@ticticticitwearsoffeventua5590]

Great timing

[@lluewhyn]

Biggest moment dating this interview is when Regis holds up the longbox....

[@justicesmith6375]

He looks so different now. A lot cooler.

[@XX-rt6pt]

The way that he plays it so 'up tempo' I'm guessing that after bangin' that one out for almost a decade he's bored to tears by that wonderful little tune

[@radioelvis]

There is something disarmingly charming about this whole thing. I forgot Regis had that other co-host once. He does a nice job really...I never knew he wrote this song. Which I guess expains why you can hear lyrics which Stipe never did very well...

[@crissycri]

It wasn't Springsteen, it was Eddie Vedder from Pearl Jam at the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame speech

[@massmurker]

Also, people who remember when this album came out will remember that Out of Time used the extra packaging material as a signature section of Get Out the Vote petition that could be mailed in to count as an official signature for the National Voter Registration Act that Clinton signed a couple of years later.

[@ibassnote]

Such a legend. I can't imagine how he got booked for this. Perhaps Michael cancelled or Mike decided he wanted to help with some of the promo duties. He is an awesome bass player and a good back-up singer. He didn't seem that comfortable in the role but why would he? Those hosts were ridiculous.

[@CBDM777]

Skip to 4:00 to avoid the weird interview lol.

[@eldiegobrc]

Gracias

[@SparkNY1969]

It was awkward.

[@bernlin2000]

@mntlPurple Him, and the rest of the band, but he's the best at speaking :-)

[@outtathyme5679]

Wowwwwws

[@diffdrum1]

@naberrieskywalker That is how CDs were packaged, back in the day.

[@RobotWillie]

This is old..... Yet cool to see.

[@MegaNailman]

man i missed that seen didn’t realize how good the guys were then .🤔

[@mistresselyria]

amo sus dientes ♥