Athens, Georgia band R.E.M. were one of the most influential bands in the formation of alternative rock and indie, and became one of the biggest rock groups in the world in the early 1990s. Initially inspiring an underground following, their popularity then blossomed into mainstream success, their touring venues changing from cramped bars to expansive sports arenas and festival stages, over a career that has spanned three decades.
Singer Michael Stipe and guitarist Peter Buck met bassist Mike Mills and drummer Bill Berry in 1980 and quickly established a local reputation through gigging. Their debut album, Murmur (1983), including the single "Radio Free Europe", is now considered by some critics as one of the best albums of the decade, though it didn't sell well at the time. R.E.M. were mostly ignored by the mainstream, while they were increasingly popular on college radio. Reckoning (1984) and Life's Rich Pageant (1986) were widely praised, until the band finally made a commercial breakthrough in 1987.
Document's singles, such as "The One I Love", did better in the charts and the album was considered among the best of the year. Within five months, they were featured on the cover of Rolling Stone magazine and Document was classified platinum in the US. After signing to Warner Bros, their 1988 album Green saw a Top 10 hit in "Stand", but Out Of Time (1991) was more successful, going to No.1 in the US and the UK. It featured the hugely successful singles "Shiny Happy People" and "Losing My Religion". Automatic for the People (1992) was arguably their masterpiece, and featured more international hit singles in "Everybody Hurts", "Drive" and "Man on the Moon".
Monster (1994) was a grunge-influenced album, that again, sold millions worldwide. In 1996 R.E.M. signed a new $80 million deal with Warner Bros, which was the biggest ever record deal at the time. Under this deal, none of R.E.M.'s four albums have sold as well as their previous four records. In recent years, R.E.M. have seen more success for singles like "Daysleeper", "The Great Beyond" and "Imitation Of Life". Bill Berry decided to leave the band in 1997, but he has rejoined for a couple of special performances since.
