
R.E.M. circa 1988: Stipe, Mills, Buck & Berry.
By some stroke of luck, magic and maybe even destiny, R.E.M. was formed in Athens, GA in 1980 by singer Michael Stipe, guitarist Peter Buck, bassist Mike Mills, and drummer Bill Berry. From humble beginnings as self taught musicians and a lead singer with stage fright, R.E.M. would go on to be one of the most successful, and critically acclaimed bands of a generation.
One of the first popular alternative rock in the college radio scene, R.E.M. released its their single, “Radio Free Europe”, in 1981.
“Radio Free Europe”