R.E.M. is a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame band from Athens, Georgia.  Formed in the early 1980s, Michael Stipe (vocals), Peter Buck (guitar), Mike Mills (bass), and Bill Berry (drums), R.E.M. became one of the most successful bands on what was then called the "college rock" circuit.  They released an EP, Chronic Town in 1982.  Their first full-length LP, Murmur, followed in 1983.  For the next five years, the band released an album per year (Reckoning, Fables of the Reconstruction, Life's Rich Pageant, Document, Green).  Their fifth album, Document, in 1987 featured the crossover hit "The One I Love."

In 1988, R.E.M. left their early indie label for the greener pastures of I.R.S. for Warner Brothers and released the minor hit Green.  In 1991, the band released Out of Time, an album that featured the massive hit single "Losing My Religion."  Their follow-up, Automatic for the People, is perhaps the most acclaimed album of their career.  When touring for their 1994 release Monster , drummer Bill Berry suffered a brain aneurysm.  He recovered and finished the tour.  His drum work is featured on the band's next album New Adventures in Hi-Fi, but announced his retirement afterward.  In 1998, R.E.M. released Up, their first album without Bill Berry.  Former Screaming Trees drummer Barrett Martin was one of a number of guests who provided percussion and drum work in the studio.  Former Ministry drummer Bill Rieflin has more permanently replaced Berry as the band's studio and touring drummer. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2007. 

In 2008, R.E.M. released Accelerate and launched a world tour in support.  They also released a 25th Anniversary special edition of Murmur.