Michael Stipe

Michael Stipe
Stipe performing at South by Southwest in 2008
Background information
Birth name	John Michael Stipe
Born	(1960-01-04) January 4, 1960 (age 57) Decatur, Georgia, U.S.
Genres	Alternative rock, folk rock,college rock, jangle pop
Occupation(s)	Musician, songwriter, producer, visual artist
Instruments	Vocals
Years active	1980–present
Associated acts	R.E.M., Automatic Baby, Chris Martin, Thom Yorke, Placebo

John Michael Stipe (born January 4, 1960) is an American singer, songwriter, musician, film producer, music video director, and visual artist. He is best known as the lead singer of the alternative rock band R.E.M. from their formation in 1980 until their dissolution in 2011.

Possessing a distinctive voice, Stipe is noted for the "mumbling" style of his early career as well as his social and political activism. He was in charge of R.E.M.'s visual image, often selecting album artwork and directing many of the band's music videos. Outside the music industry, he owns and runs two film production studios, C-00 and Single Cell Pictures.

As singer/songwriter, Stipe is considered an influence to a wide range of artists including Kurt Cobain of Nirvana and U2's lead singer Bono who said in 2003 "That voice. It's an extraordinary voice".

John Michael Stipe was born in Decatur, Georgia, on January 4, 1960. Stipe was the second of four children. Stipe was a military brat; his father was a serviceman in the United States Army whose career resulted in frequent relocations for his family. His younger sister, Lynda Stipe, was born in 1962 and became the vocalist of her own band Hetch Hetchy. Stipe and his family moved to various locales during his childhood, including Germany, Texas, Illinois, Alabama and Georgia. He was raised Methodist.