What's the Frequency Stephen? R.E.M.'s Michael Stipe Says Goodbye on 'The Colbert Report'

When R.E.M. announced last month that they were splitting up, after a long and illustrious career as one of rock n' roll's most artful and consistently prolific acts in the world, fans all over the country dug through their music collections and dusted off copies of "Green" or "Automatic for the People," remembering all over again just how great the band had once been.

Last night, Stephen Colbert got in on the trip down memory lane when R.E.M. front man Michael Stipe made a surprise appearance on the show. R.E.M. was the first band to play "The Colbert Report."

Colbert used the occasion to enshrine R.E.M. (and literally Stipe) on his Rock n' Roll Shelf of Fame (note to self - get one of those). Later on, legendary musician Brian Eno joined the talk show host and Stipe for an improvised a cappella rendition of "Lean On Me."

It's just straight-up awesome. Check it out below.

R.E.M. will release their final album, "R.E.M., Part Lies, Part Heart, Part Truth, Part Garbage, 1982 - 2011" this Tuesday November 15th.

Watch Stephen Colbert, MIchael Stipe and Brian Eno sing "Lean On Me":