MICHAEL STIPE - STIPE EXCITED BY R.E.M. TRIBUTE GIG

STIPE EXCITED BY R.E.M. TRIBUTE GIG

MICHAEL STIPE jumped at the chance to watch a New York charity performance of R.E.M. songs - because it's the only opportunity he'll ever get to hear his own music live in concert.
Patti Smith, Glen Hansard and Bob Mould headline a tribute gig at New York City's Carnegie Hall on Wednesday (11Mar09) to raise money for music education charities.
And Stipe will be in the crowd - because it's his one chance to experience the energy his fans feel at an R.E.M. concert.
He explains, "It's a great honour.
"I'm going to go to watch people perform our compositions. I will never be able to see my band perform. You can watch a tape - but you don't know what it feels like in the room."