REM song 'What's the frequency Kenneth?'

UZZA_SPARTA

Midfield
in another thread, poster @Keawyeds made an amusing comment using a reference to the REM single 'What's the frequency Kenneth?'
Not suitable to respond on the thread about Cyclone Kenneth, but made me think about the bizarre story at time about why REM made that song... a case of fact being stranger than fiction...


CBS News anchor Dan Rather, renowned for his unusual expressions and sayings, has led a colorful life. However, one bizarre event really takes the cake.

One night in October 1986, Rather was walking down a Manhattan street when he was punched from behind and thrown to the ground. His assailant kicked and beat him while repeating, "Kenneth, what is the frequency?"

No one could explain the event, and the rumors flew fast and wide. Some speculated the assailant was a KGB agent, while others claimed the attack was the work of a jealous husband. Rather himself couldn’t shed any light on the subject...

...In 1997, based on a tip from a psychiatrist, Rather’s attacker was identified as William Tager. According to the psychiatrist, Tager, who was currently serving time for killing an NBC stagehand, blamed news media for beaming signals into his head, and thought if he could just find out the correct frequency, he could block those signals that were constantly assailing him. Hence the enigmatic inquiry.


Strange story behind R.E.M.’s song
 


The guitar solo on that song is taped backwards if I remember rightly. Arguably a symptom of their developing over-indulgence at the time which weakened their subsequent albums.
 

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