John Michael Stipe is an American singer-songwriter and artist who was born on January 4, 1960. He is best known for being the lead vocalist and lyricist of the alternative rock band R.E.M. His distinctive theatrical presence, creative words, and vocal range have earned him a following.
Stipe is known for his unusual voice and for the “mumbling” manner of his early career. Stipe began using “wailing, keening, arching vocal patterns” in the middle of the 1980s, which R.E.M. author David Buckley likened to Muslim muezzins and Celtic folk musicians. He oversaw the visual component of R.E.M., frequently choosing album art and helming many of the group’s music videos. He owns and manages C-00 and Single Cell Pictures, two film production companies outside the music sector.
What does Michael Stipe do now?
Michael Stipe exudes an agitated intensity. And that is logical. As the frontman of R.E.M., he spent a large portion of his life relocating, performing, and moving around. Since the band’s peaceful breakup in 2011, he has continued to compose and produce. He has published a couple books of his own photos, and most recently, he began putting out solo music. Last October, R.E.M. released a 25th anniversary edition of their album New Adventures in Hi-Fi.
