R.E.M. (band) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
R.E.M.
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| Background information | |
| Origin | Athens, Georgia, USA |
| Genres | Alternative rock College rock Jangle pop |
| Years active | 1980–2011 |
| Labels | I.R.S., Warner Bros. |
| Associated acts | Automatic Baby Hindu Love Gods The Minus 5 Tuatara |
| Past members | Michael Stipe Peter Buck Mike Mills Bill Berry |
R.E.M. was an American rock band. It started in Athens, Georgia in 1980. R.E.M. became one of the first very popular alternative rock bands. The band released its first song, "Radio Free Europe", in 1981. Michael Stipe was the lead singer of the band.
During the 1980s, R.E.M. was a very important band in the campus radio scene. They became famous around the world in 1987. This happened when they released their song, "The One I Love". The band was very popular in the early 1990s. R.E.M. officially broke up in 2011. They have been honored in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Contents
The Start of R.E.M. (1980-1981)
R.E.M. formed in Athens, Georgia, in January 1980. The members were singer Michael Stipe, guitarist Peter Buck, bassist Mike Mills, and drummer Bill Berry. Peter Buck worked at a record store. He met Michael Stipe there. They found out they liked similar music. Soon, they met Mike Mills and Bill Berry. The four decided to form a band.
The band played their first show on April 5, 1980. It was at a party in an old church. They played mostly cover songs. These were songs by other artists. After this, they started writing their own music. They chose the name R.E.M. by picking it randomly from a dictionary.
Early Recordings and First Single
R.E.M. recorded their first demo tape in 1981. They worked with producer Mitch Easter. This tape included their first song, "Radio Free Europe". The song was released as a single by a small record label. It was a big hit on college radio stations. This helped the band become known.
Growing Popularity (1982-1986)
After their first single, R.E.M. signed with I.R.S. Records. They released their first EP, Chronic Town, in 1982. An EP is a shorter music album. Critics liked their unique sound. It had Peter Buck's special guitar style and Michael Stipe's unclear singing.
In 1983, R.E.M. released their first full album, Murmur. It was very successful. Murmur won an award for best album from Rolling Stone magazine. The band continued to release new music every year. Their albums like Reckoning (1984) and Fables of the Reconstruction (1985) helped them gain more fans. They toured a lot, playing many concerts.
Becoming International Stars (1987-1993)
R.E.M. became truly famous around the world with their 1987 album, Document. This album included the hit song "The One I Love". It was their first song to reach the top 10 in the United States. This success led them to sign with a major record label, Warner Bros..
Their first album with Warner Bros. was Green (1988). It sold millions of copies. The band then released Out of Time in 1991. This album had their biggest hits, "Losing My Religion" and "Shiny Happy People". "Losing My Religion" became a global sensation. It won several awards. Their next album, Automatic for the People (1992), also had many popular songs. These included "Everybody Hurts" and "Man on the Moon".
Changes and Later Years (1994-2011)
In 1994, R.E.M. released the album Monster. It had a louder, more rock sound. In 1995, during a tour, drummer Bill Berry had a health issue. He recovered, but this event affected the band.
In 1997, Bill Berry decided to leave the band. The remaining members, Michael Stipe, Peter Buck, and Mike Mills, decided to continue as a trio. They released new albums like Up (1998) and Reveal (2001). For their live shows, they often had other musicians join them. Scott McCaughey was one of these touring members.
R.E.M. continued to make music and tour for many more years. They released their final album, Collapse into Now, in 2011. On September 21, 2011, R.E.M. announced that they were breaking up. They thanked their fans for their support.
Legacy and Influence
R.E.M. is known for its unique sound and meaningful lyrics. They helped make alternative rock popular. Many bands have said that R.E.M. inspired them. Their music often explored themes like politics and society. They sold over 85 million records worldwide. R.E.M. was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2007. Their music continues to be loved by fans of all ages.
Images for kids
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The church steeple of St. Mary's Episcopal Church in 2015; this is all that remains of where members of R.E.M. lived briefly and performed their first concert on April 5, 1980
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Mitch Easter (far left) was R.E.M.'s producer until 1984, helping to define the band's early sound.
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Michael Stipe (left) and Peter Buck (right) on stage in Ghent, Belgium, during R.E.M.'s 1985 tour
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Scott Litt produced a number of R.E.M.'s albums from the late 1980s to the early to mid-1990s.
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Scott McCaughey was a touring member of R.E.M. from 1994 till their disbandment.
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R.E.M. on tour in 2008, with long-time collaborator Scott McCaughey
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R.E.M. at the Royal Albert Hall in 2008
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Bassist Mike Mills performing in concert in 2008
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R.E.M. onstage in 2008
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Peter Buck's guitar-playing style has defined R.E.M.'s sound.
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Pavement, one of several bands to name R.E.M. as an influence, wrote the song "Unseen Power of the Picket Fence" in honor of them.
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Michael Stipe has used his celebrity status to support political and humanitarian causes; he is seen here at the 2007 Tribeca Film Festival, which was created to renew that neighborhood of New York City after the September 11 attacks
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R.E.M. on their final tour (from left to right): guitarist Peter Buck (on keyboard), touring musician Scott McCaughey, vocalist Michael Stipe (back to camera), touring drummer Bill Rieflin, and bassist Mike Mills
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See also
In Spanish: R.E.M. para niños
