R.E.M. singer Michael Stipe had one of the most impactful rock careers in memory, with 31 years as the figurehead for an internationally renowned band that was possibly America's greatest guitar-based export (we'll save the debate for another day).
Now "retired" from the Athens, Georgia, group, Stipe recently reflected on his career with MTV.
"I always thought about when you ask people at the end of their life what their message is for future generations," Stipe said. "Stay hungry is a little bit there, but I would say stay curious. A lot of the reason that we were able to do all the things we did and to be successful doing it ... had to do with a curiosity."
Stipe and his bandmates were able to view America from afar during foreign tours, and that vantage point soured them on the Reagan and (H.W.) Bush administrations.
"These were dark times for this country and politically laws were being changed, policies were being implemented that we are still struggling under," Stipe said. "To be a pop star and to be political was not altogether a bad thing."
So who is leading the charge now?
"I actually thought [Lady] Gaga was someone who captured a zeitgeist and pushed a very progressive acceptance of sexuality in the 21st century forward in a really cool way," Stipe said.
Fans will be able to get plenty more from Stipe and bandmates Mike Mills, Peter Buck and Bill Berry on a new 6-DVD box set retrospective called REMTV.
According to MTV, the release (due Nov. 24) includes: "Two MTV Unplugged shows, concerts between 1995 and 2008, a VH1 Storytellers, performances from MTV award shows, their 2007 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction, a new documentary, plus tons of bonus features."
Check out a sample below:
