R.E.M. through the years
Michael Stipe sings during a R.E.M. performance in Mountain View, Calif., in 1995. (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)
Michael Stipe and drummer Bill Berry performing in 1995. (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)
A befeathered Michael Stipe announces an award at the VH-1 Fashion Awards in 1998. (Bruce Cotler / Associated Press)
Michael Stipe looks over the crowd at RFK Stadium in Washington D.C., in 1998. (Ken Cedeno / Associated Press)
Michael Stipe strikes a pose at Los Angeles’ Greek Theatre in 1999. (Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)
Bassist Mike Mills at the Greek Theatre in 1999. (Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)
Mike Mills, Michael Stipe and Peter Buck rehearse in Vancouver, Canada, in 2003. (Jeff Vinnick / For The Times)
R.E.M. performs at the Hollywood Bowl in 2003. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
Michael Stipe and
R.E.M. band members, from left, Mike Mills, Michael Stipe and Peter Buck wave as their leave the stage at the Live 8 concert in Hyde Park in London in 2005. (Lefteris Pitarakis / Associated Press)
Michael Stipe performs at the Live 8 London concert in Hyde Park in 2005. (M.J. Kim / Getty Images)
Michael Stipe,