Happy birthday, Michael Stipe!
Michael Stipe Bio
John Michael Stipe was born on January 4, 1960 in Decatur, Georgia. As a young boy, Stipe moved extensively due to his father being in the military, as per Imdb. As a youngster, the then-future member of R.E.M. held music icons, Patti Smith, Television, and Wire as his major influencers and role models in his quest to pursue a career in music. As a high school student, John was a member of a punk cover band.
Michael Stipe Early Music Career Beginnings + R.E.M.
While John Michael Stipe was studying painting and photography as a college student at the University of Georgia, the aspiring R.E.M. lead member made friends with up-and-coming guitarist, Peter Buck. Thereafter, alongside bassist, Mike Mills and drummer, Bill Berry, Stipe and Buck created the rock group, R.E.M. in 1980.
R.E.M. embarked on extensive tours before the group launched their debut single called, "Radio Free Europe." The single was released under a low-key record label in mid-1981. The single amassed success in college airplay, and this success paved the way for IRS records to notice R.E.M.'s talent. As such, IRS then signed on the group, and the former released the rock band's debut EP album, "Chronic Town" the following year, as per All Music.
Michael Stipe and R.E.M. Hits, Accomplishments, and Accolades
R.E.M.'s first studio album, "Murmur" (1983) propelled John Michael Stipe's underground music talent to become the center of rock music's forefront during the 1980's era. The band went on to release their follow-up studio album, "Reckoning" (1984), and the music material went on to claim the Top 30 spot of the chart.
Read more: 2024 Songwriters Hall Of Fame Nominees Announced
Michael Stipe Debut Album as a Solo Artist Set for 2024 Release?
As of December 2022, Michael Stipe has given an update sharing that he planned to release his debut album as a solo artist, as per Wecb.fm. However, as of December 2023 when an article published on Wecb.fm that indicated this news regarding Stipe's plan to release his debut solo album, there has still been an ongoing delay in the release of the musician's aforementioned solo music project. As per the same article published on Wecb.fm, Michael Stipe has shared that at that time, the reason for the album's release delay were his personal issues and Stipe's contraction of the Covid-19 virus.
