R.E.M.
Identification American rock band
Date Formed in 1980
Despite beginning as a “college radio” group, R.E.M. be-
came one of the seminal bands of the 1980’s.
When R.E.M. formed in Athens, Georgia, in 1980,
there was little indication of the superstardom the
group would achieve. Composed of vocalist Michael
Stipe, guitarist Peter Buck, bassist Mike Mills, and
drummer Bill Berry, the band was vastly different
from the artists that dominated the commercial
charts. R.E.M.’s sound was characterized by Buck’s
jangle-pop guitar, the driving rhythm section of Mills
and Berry, and Stipe’s cryptic, garbled lyrics.
R.E.M.’s first single, “Radio Free Europe,” aired
extensively on college radio stations and garnered
substantial critical acclaim. After signing with the in-
dependent label I.R.S. Records, R.E.M. released the
extended play (EP) albumChronic Townin 1982.
This was quickly followed by the band’s full-length
debutMurmur, whichRolling Stonemagazine named
the Best Album of 1983.
In 1984, the band releasedReckoning, also consid-
ered a critical success. The hypnotic single “So. Cen-
tral Rain” received considerable airplay on college
radio stations, increasing R.E.M.’s cult following.
In addition to building their careers, the band mem-
bers’ early success underscored the viability of col-
lege radio and helped spotlight scores of alternative
artists producing quality music—many who sounded
very similar to R.E.M.
The band’s next albums, 1985’sFables of the Recon-
structionand 1986’sLifes Rich Pageant, maintained
the core sound that had come to define R.E.M.’s
musical style and also expanded the band’s fan base.
Although each successive album earned the band822 R.E.M. The Eighties in America
R.E.M. in 1984. From left: Michael Stipe, Mike Mills, Bill Berry, Peter Buck.(Paul Natkin)