MICHAEL STIPE
Michael Stipe (born January 4, 1960) is an American musician and singer-songwriter. He is best known as the lead singer and main lyricist of the alternative rock band R.E.M. from their formation in 1980 until their dissolution in 2011. Possessing a distinctive voice, Stipe is noted for the “mumbling” style of his early career as well as for his social and political activism. He was in charge of R.E.M.’s visual aspect, often selecting album artwork and directing many of the band’s music videos. Outside the music industry, he owns and runs two film production studios, C-00 and Single Cell Pictures. As a singer-songwriter, Stipe is considered to be an influence on a wide range of artists, including Kurt Cobain of Nirvana and Thom Yorke of Radiohead. Bono of U2 described his voice as “extraordinary”. (More from Wikipedia)
Grant Lee Buffalo, Fuzzy (single) – Led by singer-songwriter and guitarist Grant Lee Phillips, the alternative rock band Grant Lee Buffalo was a fave of critics and fellow musicians alike that never broke into the mainstream. Their music is an infectious blend of roots rock, psychedelia and country; and I sure wish I had more of their music. “Fuzzy” is the title track of the band’s debut album, Fuzzy (1993). Michael Stipe, the lead singer of R.E.M. called Fuzzy “the best album of the year hands down”. This single CD only has two versions of the same song, but I have pushed the “Play” button a second time on more than one occasion.
(December 2015)
