Flashback: August 1982! Chronic Town was their first EP! R.E.M., one of the most important American bands of the past half-century or so, are now a distant memory; they officially broke up in 2011. But the people remember. This past summer, the band’s classic debut EP celebrated its 40th anniversary. And last night, an all-star gathering of fans and friends got together in the band’s Georgia hometown to celebrate the record and the band. Three quarters of R.E.M. were there, and two of them took part in the festivities.