R.E.M. - Bingo Hand Job: Live at the Borderline 1991 (2019)
🎸 R.E.M. — Pioneers of Alternative Rock
R.E.M. was an American rock band formed in 1980 in Athens, Georgia, U.S. by Michael Stipe, Peter Buck, Mike Mills, and Bill Berry. They became one of the most influential alternative rock bands, blending melodic jangle‑pop with introspective lyrics. Their name comes from “rapid eye movement”, reflecting mystery and creativity.
They released 15 studio albums, sold over 90 million records, and disbanded amicably in 2011.
Band Members
Michael Stipe – Lead Vocals & Lyricist 🎤
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Born: Jan 4, 1960, Decatur, Georgia
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Studied art at the University of Georgia
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Known for cryptic, poetic lyrics and expressive vocals
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After R.E.M.: worked in visual arts and photography
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Fun Fact: He chose the band’s name randomly from a dictionary
Peter Buck – Guitarist 🎸
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Born: Dec 6, 1956, Berkeley, California
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Known for “jangle” guitar style, defining the band’s sound
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Worked in various musical projects post-R.E.M.
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Fun Fact: His guitar riffs helped popularize alternative rock
Mike Mills – Bassist & Multi-Instrumentalist 🎹
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Born: Dec 17, 1958, Orange, California
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Provided melodic basslines and backing vocals
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Continues performing with side projects
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Fun Fact: Lifelong friend of Bill Berry; chemistry anchored the band
Bill Berry – Drummer 🥁
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Born: July 31, 1958, Duluth, Minnesota
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Co-wrote hits like Everybody Hurts
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Left R.E.M. in 1997; pursued farming and quieter life
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Fun Fact: Formed a new band, The Bad Ends, after R.E.M.
Key Albums & Hits
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Murmur (1983) – debut, critically acclaimed
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Out of Time (1991) – Losing My Religion 🌟 Grammy winner
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Automatic for the People (1992) – Everybody Hurts
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Monster (1994) – electric rock style
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Collapse into Now (2011) – final studio album
Popular Tracks:
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“Losing My Religion” 🎵
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“Everybody Hurts” 💔
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“Man on the Moon” 🌙
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“The One I Love” ❤️
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“Radio Free Europe” 📻
Awards & Honors 🏆
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Grammy Awards – multiple wins including Out of Time
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Rock & Roll Hall of Fame – inducted 2007
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Songwriters Hall of Fame – 2024
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Sold over 85 million records worldwide
Fun Facts & Trivia
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Band started in a small college town, not a major city 🏫
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Never did a traditional farewell tour 🚫
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Name chosen from a dictionary, inspired by REM sleep 💤
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Helped bring alternative rock into mainstream music
Did You Know? 🤔
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Out of Time spent over 100 weeks on U.S. charts
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Stipe’s lyrics were often deliberately mysterious
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Berry’s onstage aneurysm in 1995 paused tours temporarily
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R.E.M.’s music influenced generations of rock and alternative artists
🎶 R.E.M. Discography & Legacy — From College Rock to Global Icons
The American band R.E.M. released one of the most influential bodies of work in alternative rock between 1982 and 2011. Their discography not only spans 15 studio albums but also includes hits that became cultural touchstones, award‑winning albums, and tracks that defined generations. They’ve sold over 93 million equivalent album sales worldwide across albums, streams, and singles — making them one of the most enduring acts in modern music history.
📀 Studio Albums: Commercial Impact & Legacy
Below are key studio albums with sales, ratings/awards (where available), and standout tracks:
🎸 Out of Time (1991)
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Peak Success: R.E.M.’s biggest selling album — over 18 million units worldwide, long chart runs, and #1 in the US & UK.
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Awards: 3 GRAMMYs including Best Alternative Music Album.
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Popular Tracks:
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“Losing My Religion” — signature hit, millions of streams; lead single that pushed R.E.M. to global fame.
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“Shiny Happy People” — hit with a playful pop feel.
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Notes: This record catapulted the band from cult favorite to mainstream icons.
🎤 Automatic for the People (1992)
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Sales: Over 16 million units worldwide.
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Popular Tracks:
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“Everybody Hurts” — heartfelt ballad that became a global anthem.
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“Man on the Moon” — inspired by comedian Andy Kaufman, later film title.
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Legacy: Cemented as one of R.E.M.’s most acclaimed works — emotional and stylistically rich.
🔥 Monster (1994)
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Sales: Around 9 million units worldwide.
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Popular Tracks:
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“Bang and Blame” — last top‑40 Hot 100 hit, strong rock sound.
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Notes: A more electric/rock‑oriented record after the quieter tones of its predecessor.
🎧 Earlier & Later Notables
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Murmur (1983) — critically acclaimed debut; established their jangle‑pop/alt‑rock signature.
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Green (1988) — first Warner Bros. album as their audience expanded.
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New Adventures in Hi‑Fi (1996) — last with drummer Bill Berry.
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Collapse into Now (2011) — final studio release before breakup.
🏆 Greatest Hits, Awards & Honors
R.E.M.’s discography has been widely acknowledged:
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Grammy Awards: Multiple wins, especially for Out of Time.
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Rock & Roll Hall of Fame: Inducted in 2007 for their influence and legacy.
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Songwriters Hall of Fame: Honored in 2024 for their songwriting impact.
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Compilation Success: In Time: The Best of R.E.M. 1988–2003 sold millions globally and was one of the decade’s best‑selling catalogs.
🔥 Most Popular Tracks (Streams & Influence)
Here are some of R.E.M.’s most streamed and culturally significant songs:
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“Losing My Religion” 🎵 — R.E.M.’s biggest international hit and most streamed song.
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“Everybody Hurts” 💔 — powerful ballad of hope and empathy.
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“Shiny Happy People” 😊 — upbeat classic with pop resonance.
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“It’s the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine)” 🔄 — beloved rapid‑fire lyric song.
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“Man on the Moon” 🌙 — tribute with broad artistic reach.
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“The One I Love” ❤️ — first major U.S. hit single.
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“Drive” 🚗 — politically tinged standout.
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“Nightswimming” 🌃 — a fan‑favorite reflective ballad.
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“Orange Crush” 🍊 — socially sharp single with enduring appeal.
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“Imitation of Life” 🎤 — successful 2001 hit.
🎵 Track Awards & Chart Facts
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“Everybody Hurts” earned music video awards and chart success internationally.
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“The One I Love” was R.E.M.’s first hit to reach the Top 10 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100.
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“Bang and Blame” was their last top‑40 U.S. hit and hit #1 on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart.
🎉 Fun Facts & Trivia
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💽 R.E.M. sold over 93 million units across albums, singles and streams worldwide — a testament to global longevity.
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🎧 “Losing My Religion” became so iconic it’s among the most streamed alternative rock songs ever.
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📀 Out of Time spent over 100 weeks on U.S. charts and topped charts in multiple countries.
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📺 The band never did a traditional farewell tour — they chose to end amicably after 31 years together.
🧠 Did You Know? 🤔
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🌀 R.E.M.’s massive impact helped define alternative rock as a viable mainstream genre.
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📀 Out of Time and Automatic for the People are among the most streamed alternative albums from the early ’90s.
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🎥 Man on the Moon not only was a hit song but inspired a major biographical film about Andy Kaufman.
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📊 Their consistent chart presence across three decades proves their cross‑generational appeal.
