Stipe was born in Decatur, Georgia on January 4, 1960. His father was a serviceman in the United States Army whose career resulted in frequent relocations for his family. Stipe and his family moved to various locales during his childhood, including Germany, Texas, Illinois, Alabama and Georgia. Stipe graduated from high school in Collinsville, Illinois in 1978. His senior photo is pictured in the album art work of Eponymous. Stipe also worked at the local Waffle House. Stipe later enrolled at the University of Georgia in Athens, Georgia, as an art major, studying photography and painting .While attending college in Athens, Stipe frequented the Wuxtry record shop where he met store clerk Peter Buck in 1980. "He was a striking-looking guy and he also bought weird records, which not everyone in the store did", Buck recalled. The two became friends and eventually decided to form a band. Buck and Stipe started writing music together; at the time Stipe also spent time in a local group named Gangster. The pair were soon joined by Bill Berry and Mike Mills and named themselves R.E.M., a name Stipe selected at random from a dictionary.
Why did Stipe and his family move to various places during his childhood?
There was no particular reason.
His father was in the Army.
They liked travelling.
Who are the members of REM?
Michael Stipe and Peter Buck.
Bill Berry and Mike Mills.
MIchael Stipe, Bill Berry, Peter Buck and Mike Mills.
Where did Michael and Peter meet?
In a record shop.
In the local pub.
At a concert.
What did Peter Buck think of Michael Stipe ?
That he was ugly.
That he was good-looking.
That he was wierd.
What was the first band that Michael Stipe joined?
