3 Reasons R.E.M. Rejected Producer Stephen Hague

He demanded too many takes Hague made the band perform multiple takes of ‘Catapult,’ which clashed with their preference for raw, first-take energy.

He added parts without permission Hague added keyboard parts to the song without consulting the band, violating their creative control.

His perfectionism didn’t fit their style R.E.M. wanted a producer who captured their live sound, not one who polished and overproduced their work.