R.E.M. was an American rock band from Athens, Georgia, formed in 1980 by drummer Bill Berry, guitarist Peter Buck, bassist Mike Mills, and lead vocalist Michael Stipe, who were students at the University of Georgia. Liner notes from some of the band's albums list attorney Bertis Downs and manager Jefferson Holt as non-musical members. One of the first alternative rock bands, R.E.M. was noted for Buck's ringing, arpeggiated guitar style; Stipe's distinctive vocal quality, unique stage presence, and obscure lyrics; Mills's melodic bass lines and backing vocals; and Berry's tight, economical drumming style. In the early 1990s, other alternative rock acts such as Nirvana and Pavement viewed R.E.M. as a pioneer of the genre. After Berry left the band in 1997, the band continued its career in the 2000s with mixed critical and commercial success.
| Also known as | Hornets Attack Victor Mature, Bingo Hand Job, It Crawled from the South, Twisted Kites |
| Origin | Athens, Georgia, U.S. |
| Genres | Alternative rock, college rock, folk rock, jangle pop, post-punk (early) |
| Years active | 1980–2011 |
| Labels | Hib-Tone, I.R.S, Warner Bros, Capitol, New West, Rhino, Concord Bicycle, Craft |
| Associated acts | 10,000 Maniacs, Automatic Baby, The B-52's, The Baseball Project, Filthy Friends, Hindu Love Gods, The Minus 5, The Troggs, Tired Pony, Tuatara, U2, The Venus 3, Warren Zevon |
| Past members | Bill Berry, Peter Buck, Mike Mills, Michael Stipe Non-musical members, Bertis Downs, Jefferson Holt |
About R.E.M.
Won Album of the Year at the 1992 Grammys for Out of Time. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2007. The band parted ways four years later.
Achievement of R.E.M.
On their first tour in the early 1980s, each band member was rationed $2 for food per day.
Top Facts You Did Not Know About R.E.M.
R.E.M. Category.. Rhino Records artists.. Alternative rock groups from Georgia (U.S. state).. New West Records artists.. Musical groups from Athens, Georgia.. I.R.S. Records artists.. Jangle pop groups.. Brit Award winners.. Capitol Records artists.
