Although music journalist David Buckley claimed lead singer Michael Stipe selected the term randomly from a dictionary, R. E. M. always invested heavily in the visual aesthetic of the band, so I'm sceptical of Stipe's story.
The group was formed by drummer Bill Berry, guitarist Peter Buck, bassist Mike Mills, and lead vocalist Michael Stipe, making R.E.M one of the pioneering alternative rock bands.
According to American Songwriter, Buck and Stipe first crossed paths in an Athens record store, Wuxtry Records, in the early 1980s, bonding over their shared music tastes.
Another user chimed in: "A third user said: "It said rapid eye movement, I didn't believe it.
Despite churning out hits since the 1980s, many fans remain clueless about the meaning behind R.E.M's iconic band name.
