I Want My REMTV

In 1980, four men in Athens, Georgia, formed a band that would forever change the musical landscape. R.E.M.'s breakthrough, longevity, and success inspired a new generation of artists, paving the way for alternative rock groups such as Nirvana. Throughout a career of monumental highs and quite a few changes, the band's most constant partner has been MTV. Within the space of a few weeks in the summer of 1981, R.E.M released their first single and MTV aired its first video. From that point, the two grew in tandem, with MTV covering all aspects of the band's development.

Spanning six discs, REMTV offers unprecedented insight into the history of the band. From MTV Unplugged sessions, to previously unaired performances, concerts, and award show appearances, the breadth of material included is astonishing. Bill Flanagan, EVP of the Viacom Music Group, celebrates the wealth of access this new series offers: "Not only are we drawing from the vaults of MTV -- domestic and international -- but from VH1, Comedy Central, and Nickelodeon. I don't think anyone realized just how much terrific R.E.M. footage we were sitting on. To gather the best of it in one collection is pretty overwhelming. R.E.M. started great, stayed great and ended great - here's the evidence."

And the cherry on top of this gorgeously packaged gift to fans is a brand new feature-length documentary, R.E.M By MTV, included in the collection, available on Rhino on Nov. 24.

Watch the trailer for R.E.M. By MTV below:

REMTV is being released on November 24.