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• R.E.M.

Genre: Alternative

Last Played: 03-20-2010 7:12 am

R.E.M. is one of the first alternative rock groups to emerge into the mainstream and was formed in Athens, Georgia in 1980. Their first single, "Radio Free Europe," was released in 1981 and met large success, prompting them to continue releasing material and consistently touring for the next seven years, releasing five albums, each one receiving critical acclaim until the fifth, Document released in 1987, broke through into the mainstream with their hit song "The One I Love." In 1988 they signed to Warner Brothers Records and began to adopt a more politically and environmentally concerned mindset as they began selling out stadiums and arenas. The band met huge success into the 90s, selling millions of records and releasing some of their most popular records, however several medical emergencies caused several disruptions and eventually for one of the members, Bill Berry to leave the band in 1998. R.E.M. continued on without him, eventually to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2007. Most recently they have released their first ever live album, R.E.M. live, with songs taken from a 2005 show in Dublin.