This REM t-shirt features an image of lead singer Michael Stipe wearing a flat cap and his trademark blue stripe makeup. Stipe met band mate Peter Buck in 1980 in a record shop while he was at University in Georgia. They became friends and decided to form a band. They enlisted fellow students Mike Mills and Bill Berry and R.E.M. were born. All four members dropped out of University shortly afterwards to focus on the band, a decision which was vindicated when they were signed a year later, releasing their "Chronic Town" EP on I.R.S. Records. REM's debut album "Murmur" came in 1983. Their early work was characterised by Michael Stipe's mumbling style of vocals and his unusual lyrics. They released five more albums between 1983 and 1988, "Reckoning", "Fables of the Reconstruction", "Lifes Rich Pageant", "Document" and "Green" before hitting mainstream success with their 1991 album "Out of Time". Stipes vocal style had become a lot more clear, his lyrics actually understandable and the album went platinum four times over. Their next album "Automatic for the people" confirmed them mainstream stars, again going quadruple-platinum. R.E.M.have since released another six hugely successful albums and are one of the biggest bands today. This is a 100% cotton Michael Stipe of REM t shirt.

Original Photograph © Ami Barwell

£18.99