On January 4, 1960, local Athens artist and R.E.M. frontman [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Michael Stipe[/lastfm] was born in Decatur, Georgia.

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Although he lived in various places as he moved around with his Military dad, he ended up back in Georgia when he enrolled at the University of Georgia in Athens. It was there that he met Peter Buck, Bill Berry and Mike Mills and formed R.E.M.

R.E.M.’s first TV appearance on David Letterman, 1983, performing their first single, “Radio Free Europe.”

Stipe has collaborated with Natalie Merchant, Peter Gabriel, Chris Martin, Placebo and the New York Dolls.

Michael Stipe performs “Red Rain” with Peter Gabriel and Natalie Merchant.

R.E.M. performing “Wichita Lineman”

R.E.M. on Sesame Street performing “Furry Happy Monsters”

R.E.M. stayed together until just this past September, 2011.

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