R.E.M.

R.E.M. was a pioneering American alternative rock band formed in Athens, Georgia in 1980 by Bill Berry, Peter Buck, Mike Mills, and Michael Stipe. Known for Buck's signature jangly guitar, Stipe's cryptic lyrics and distinctive voice, Mills's melodic bass and harmonies, and Berry's precise drumming, R.E.M. played a crucial role in shaping the sound of alternative rock. They broke into the mainstream with "The One I Love" in 1987 and reached global success with albums like Out of Time and Automatic for the People, featuring hits such as "Losing My Religion." After Berry's departure in 1997, the band continued as a trio, experimenting with their sound and lineup. R.E.M. sold over 90 million albums worldwide, was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2007, and influenced countless artists. The group disbanded amicably in 2011 but occasionally reunited for special performances, cementing their legacy as one of rock's most influential acts.