Picture a 1970s American teen, dressed as Frank N. Furter from Rocky Horror, interviewed on local TV outside a suburban cinema. That fearless teen grows up to be Michael Stipe, lead singer of R.E.M., the first alternative band to achieve global commercial success, from its origins in tiny Athens, Georgia. The first alternative band from the college radio airwaves to experience mass commercial success with 90 million albums sold, R.E.M. occupies an influential position in music history, inspiring many bands with their fiercely independent spirit and sound. On this episode you'll learn:
- How Athens, Georgia became the unlikely spawning ground for several successful bands.
- How R.E.M. created a memorable sound by combining punk, pop music, southern rock and R'n'B
- Why Pearl Jam and Nirvana cited R.E.M. as a major trailblazer, and influence on their sound
- How an onstage near-tragedy changed the band forever...
- The college radio strategy the company employed to build its credibility and momentum
- Why R.E.M. turned down the offer to write a theme song for the popular TV show Friends
Guest Bio - Peter Ames Carlin, author & journalistBest-selling author Peter Ames Carlin appeared on our Bruce Springsteen episode. He is the author of
The Name of This Band is R.E.M. He's also written biographies on Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys and Paul McCartney of The Beatles.
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What is GARAGE TO STADIUMS Music History Podcast?
Garage to Stadiums is now of the Top 3% of podcasts in the world. From the bars to the arenas, learn the fascinating stories of how our biggest rock music legends made the leap. Each episode reveals the stories, songs and little known facts of the journey from obscurity to fame of one of rock music’s biggest stars. Join us on Garage To Stadiums as host Dave Anthony teams up with an author of a rock biography or director of a rock documentary to explore that journey, their early years, the stories behind the scenes, their top songs, and their place in music history.
Learn about the passion, talent, luck and even scandal that often came together to propel these stars from obscurity to household names.