While "Pretty Persuasion" was the only song Stipe took the stage for, and which all four members of R.E.M. helped perform, Mills, Buck, and Berry were all kept busy at other point

Maybe this shouldn’t feel so miraculous, but it sure seems like the four members of R.E.M. like getting back together, hanging out with each other, and even playing music in public if it feels right.

This legendary alternative rock band has only had two public performances since it officially retired in 2011.

Iconic Athens rock band R.E.M. held a rare reunion late last week. All four original members – Michael Stipe, Peter Buck, Mike Mills and Bill Berry – jumped on stage at the historic 40 Watt Club in downtown Athens on Thursday night.

All four members of R.E.M., Michael Stipe, Bill Berry, Mike Mills and Peter Buck, reunited in Thursday at the 40 Watt Club in Athens, Georgia.

R.E.M.'s 4 original members reunited for a surprise run through 'Pretty Persuasion' on Thursday (Feb. 27) at their hometown 40 Watt Club; watch clip.

R.E.M. joined actor Michael Shannon and indie rocker Jason Narducy, who were the main acts of the night. The group is currently on a tour paying tribute to R.E.M.‘s 1985 album “Fables of the Reconstruction.”

Peter Buck joined Michael Shannon, Jason Narducy & Friends for REM's "Harborcoat," "Time After Time," "Sitting Still, "Cuyahoga," "(Don't Go Back to) Rockville," and more

Michael Stipe, Peter Buck, Mike Mills and Bill Berry stunned the audience at Michael Shannon and Jason Narducy's 'Fables of the Reconstruction' tribute.

R.E.M.’s Peter Buck made a surprise appearance at Friday's Seattle show of Michael Shannon and Jason Narducy, who are on tour celebrating the 40th anniversary o

Michael Shannon has been a big R.E.M. fan for a long time. The actor has been taking that to the next level lately, as he and veteran musician Jason Narducy are in the midst of an R.E.M. tribute tour celebrating the 40th anniversary of the album Fables Of The Reconstruction.

Near the end of the gig in R.E.M.’s hometown, Michael Stipe, Peter Buck, and Bill Berry joined Shannon and Narducy for a performance of the Reckoning track “Pretty Persuasion.” Mike Mills ...