Recorded first single

In April 1981, R.E.M. recorded their first single, ” Radio Free Europe “, at producer Mitch Easter ‘s Drive-In Studio in Winston-Salem, North Carolina , after a recommendation by Peter Holsapple . Initially distributing it as a four-track demo tape to clubs, record labels and magazines, the single was released in July 1981 on the local independent record label Hib-Tone with an initial pressing of 1,000 copies—600 of which were sent out as promotional copies. The single quickly sold out, and another 6,000 copies were pressed due to popular demand, despite the original pressing leaving off the record label’s contact details. Despite its limited pressing, the single garnered critical acclaim, and was listed as one of the ten best singles of the year by The New York Times .