R.E.M. was an American rock band that formed in Athens, Georgia, in 1980. Throughout their career, R.E.M. released 15 studio albums. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2007. The band's name stands for "Rapid Eye Movement," which is a phase of sleep when people have vivid dreams.
R.E.M. released their first single, "Radio Free Europe," independently before signing with a record label. The band's lead singer, Michael Stipe, was initially hesitant to become a performer and would often perform with his back to the audience.
R.E.M.'s hit song "Losing My Religion" was actually inspired by the band's guitarist, Peter Buck, who was reading a book about Hindu gods and goddesses. Their song "Everybody Hurts" was originally written as a message of hope to teenagers contemplating suicide.
Another interesting aspect of R.E.M. is that they were known for their political activism and often used their platform to raise awareness about social issues. R.E.M. officially disbanded in 2011 after over three decades of making music together.
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