R.E.M. surprises Hitchcock fans

LONDON, Jan. 8 (UPI) -- U.S. Rock Hall of Fame inductees R.E.M. made a surprise appearance at a Robyn Hitchcock concert at the Oxford Zodiac Theater in Oxford, England.

R.E.M. singer Michael Stipe and bassist Mike Mills joined their guitarist Peter Buck, who has been performing in Hitchcock's band The Venue 3, for two songs Sunday night, NME.com reported Monday.

R.E.M. played the classic hit "Electrolite" then introduced a new, unreleased song, NME said.

Hitchcock has been touring Britain in support of his new album, "Ole! Tarantula."

The Rock Hall Monday announced R.E.M. would be inducted into the Cleveland institution during a ceremony March 12 in New York.