View source for Michael Stipe

{{short description|American singer (born 1960)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2024}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name              = Michael Stipe
| image             = Michael Stipe of REM photographed by Kris Krug.jpg
| caption           = Stipe in 2008
| alt               = A close-up of Stipe holding a microphone
| birth_name        = John Michael Stipe
| birth_date        = {{birth date and age|mf=yes|1960|01|04}}
| birth_place       = [[Decatur, Georgia]], U.S.
| genre             = {{hlist|[[Alternative&nbsp;rock]]|[[folk rock]]<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20160630191157/http://www.mtv.com/news/518931/stipe-carrey-duet-on-rem-penned-soundtrack/ Stipe, Carrey Duet On R.E.M. – Penned Soundtrack]<br />[[MTV]].com<br />Retrieved June 20, 2016</ref>|[[college&nbsp;rock]]|[[jangle&nbsp;pop]]}}
| occupation        = {{hlist|Singer|songwriter|producer|visual artist|director}}
| years_active      = 1980–present
| past_member_of    = [[R.E.M.]]
| module          = {{Infobox person|embed=yes
| signature       = Michael Stipe signature, Billboard Open Letter 2016 (cropped).png
 }}
}}
'''John Michael Stipe''' ({{IPAc-en|'|s|t|aɪ|p}}; born January 4, 1960) is an American singer, songwriter and artist, best known as the lead singer and [[lyricist]] of the [[alternative rock]] band [[R.E.M.]]

Around 1980, Stipe began attending the [[University of Georgia]] in [[Athens, Georgia|Athens]], Georgia, where he became involved in the local [[college rock]] and [[jangle pop]] scene. He formed R.E.M. after meeting his bandmates at the university and soon dropped out to pursue music with them. The band issued its debut single, "[[Radio Free Europe (Hib-Tone version)|Radio Free Europe]]," and subsequently signed to [[I.R.S. Records]], meeting wide acclaim and soon great commercial success.

Possessing a distinctive voice, Stipe has been noted for the "mumbling" style of his early career. Since the mid-1980s, Stipe has sung in "wailing, keening, arching vocal figures" that R.E.M. biographer David Buckley compared to [[Celtic music|Celtic folk]] artists and [[Muslim]] [[muezzin]].<ref name="buckley87" /> 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 member of R.E.M., Stipe was inducted into the [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]] in 2007. As a singer-songwriter, Stipe influenced a wide range of artists, including [[Kurt Cobain]] of [[Nirvana (band)|Nirvana]] and [[Thom Yorke]] of [[Radiohead]].<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/the-one-i-love-radioheads-thom-yorke-on-the-mystery-and-influence-of-r-e-m-20111024 |title='The One I Love': Radiohead's Thom Yorke on the Mystery and Influence of R.E.M. |last=Fricke |first=David |date=October 24, 2011 |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |access-date=January 16, 2018 |archive-date=August 26, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140826092855/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/the-one-i-love-radioheads-thom-yorke-on-the-mystery-and-influence-of-r-e-m-20111024 |url-status=dead }}</ref> [[Bono]] of [[U2]] has described his voice as "extraordinary",<ref name="southbankshow">''[[The South Bank Show]]'', May 12, 2003.</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.u2.com/news/article/123/ |title=U2 Like REM like U2 like REM |date=April 3, 2001 |access-date=August 3, 2017 |publisher=[[U2]]}}</ref> and Yorke told ''[[The Guardian]]'' that Stipe is his favorite lyricist, saying "I loved the way he would take an emotion and then take a step back from it and in doing so make it so much more powerful".<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Adams |first1=Tim |last2=@TimAdamsWrites |date=2013-02-23 |title=Thom Yorke: 'If I can't enjoy this now, when do I start?' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2013/feb/23/thom-yorke-radiohead-interview |access-date=2024-02-10 |work=The Observer |language=en-GB |issn=0029-7712}}</ref>

==Early life and education==
Stipe was born on January 4, 1960, in [[Decatur, Georgia]],<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.biography.com/people/michael-stipe-9542550 |title=Michael Stipe: Songwriter, Singer, Activist, Music Producer (1960–) |publisher=[[Biography.com]]|access-date=January 15, 2018|archive-date=July 3, 2018|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180703075845/https://www.biography.com/people/michael-stipe-9542550|url-status=dead}}</ref> to Marianne and John Stipe.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=IvJ0DQAAQBAJ&dq=marianne+stipe&pg=PT21 ''From Cradle to Stage: Stories from the Mothers Who Rocked and Raised Rock Stars'' – Virginia Hanlon Grohl (2017)]</ref> He was a [[Military brat (U.S. subculture)|military brat]]; his father was a serviceman in the [[United States Army]], having served in [[Korean War|Korea]] as a helicopter pilot. The elder Stipe's career resulted in frequent relocations for his family.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/michael-stipe-the-rolling-stone-interview-19920305 |title=Artist of the Year: R.E.M.'s Michael Stipe on the Band's First Decade |last=Fricke |first=David |date=March 5, 1992 |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |access-date=January 15, 2018}}</ref> His younger sister, [[Lynda Stipe]], was born in 1962 and became the vocalist of [[Hetch Hetchy (band)|Hetch Hetchy]].<ref name="perfectsoundint">{{cite web |first=Jason |last=Gross |url=http://www.furious.com/perfect/lyndastipe.html |title=Lynda Stipe: Oh OK |publisher=[[Perfect Sound Forever (magazine)|Perfect Sound Forever]] |access-date=September 13, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010719025357/http://www.furious.com/perfect/lyndastipe.html |archive-date=July 19, 2001 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://folioweekly.com/stories/oh-henry,18908 |title=Oh, Henry! Rollins returns to Northeast Florida, bringing the whole world along |last=Hull |first=Shelton |date=December 27, 2017 |work=[[Folio Weekly]] |access-date=January 15, 2017}}</ref> Stipe and his family moved to various locales during his childhood, including [[West Germany]], [[Texas]], [[Illinois]], and [[Alabama]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.newsweek.com/2017/11/10/rem-michael-stipe-automatic-people-698161.html |title=Michael Stipe Reflects on R.E.M.'s 'Automatic for the People': 'It was F--king Dark Times' |last=Schonfeld |first=Zach |date=November 2, 2017 |work=[[Newsweek]] |access-date=January 15, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2011/mar/06/michael-stipe-rem-collapse-interview |title=Michael Stipe: 'I often find myself at a loss for words' |last=O'Hagan |first=Sean |date=March 5, 2011 |work=[[The Guardian]] |access-date=January 15, 2018}}</ref> In 1978, he graduated from high school in [[Collinsville, Illinois]], in suburban [[St. Louis]]. His senior photo is pictured in the album art work of ''[[Eponymous (album)|Eponymous]]''. Stipe also worked at the local [[Waffle House]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://fox2now.com/2015/06/05/rems-michael-stipe-surfaces-in-st-louis-rocky-horror-picture-show-report/ |title=REM's Michael Stipe surfaces in St. Louis Rocky Horror Picture Show report |last=Millitzer |first=Joe |date=June 5, 2015 |publisher=[[Fox 2 St. Louis]] |access-date=January 15, 2018}}</ref> Previous generations of his family were [[Methodism|Methodist]] ministers.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=88759457 |title=R.E.M. Tackles Songs of Faith and Revenge |date=March 24, 2008 |publisher=[[NPR]] |work=[[Morning Edition]] |access-date=January 15, 2018}}</ref>

At age 14, Stipe was turned on to punk rock by an article in ''[[Creem]]'' magazine by [[Lisa Robinson]] on the [[CBGB]] scene. The article featured a photo of [[Patti Smith]], whom Stipe came to idolize. He remembers buying her debut album, ''[[Horses (album)|Horses]]'', the day it came out. "Since then, I never looked back."<ref>{{cite podcast |url=https://www.npr.org/2022/05/23/1100876369/michael-stipe |title=Michael Stipe: Michael Stipe on his new music, photography and more |website=npr.org |publisher=Maximum Fun |host=Jesse Thorn |quote=I looked at that photo and said, "Wow," that's where I want to be. |date=May 24, 2022 |time=16:03 |access-date=May 28, 2022}}</ref>

==Career==
===Boat Of===
In the early 1980s, Stipe played in the group Boat Of with Tom Smith, who would later found the groups Peach of Immortality and To Live and Shave in LA. Also in Boat Of were Carol Levy and Mike Green.<ref>{{Cite web |title=R.E.M. Timeline – 1981 Concert Chronology |url=http://remtimeline.com/1981.html |access-date=2023-11-26 |website=remtimeline.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-05-15 |title=Early Myths About R.E.M. Debunked: What We Learned From a New Biography |url=https://pitchfork.com/thepitch/early-myths-about-rem-debunked-what-we-learned-from-new-biography-begin-the-begin/ |access-date=2023-11-26 |website=Pitchfork |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Masters |first=Marc |date=January 22, 2022 |title=Tom Smith, founding member of noise band To Live and Shave in L.A., has died at 65 |url=https://www.npr.org/2022/01/22/1074855221/tom-smith-to-live-and-shave-in-l-a-obit |access-date=November 26, 2023 |website=NPR Music}}</ref>

===R.E.M.===
{{main|R.E.M.}}
While attending the [[University of Georgia]] in [[Athens, Georgia|Athens]], Stipe frequented the [[Wuxtry Records|Wuxtry record shop]], where he met store clerk [[Peter Buck]] in 1980.<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal|last=Gill|first=Andy|date=March 5, 1991|title=The Home Guard|journal=Q Magazine|volume=55|pages=56–61}}</ref> "He was a striking-looking guy and he also bought weird records, which not everyone in the store did," Buck recalled. The two became friends; they eventually decided to form a band<ref>Buckley, p. 24</ref> and started writing music together,<ref>Buckley, p. 50</ref> although at the time Stipe was also in a local group named Gangster.<ref>Buckley, p. 29</ref> Buck and Stipe were soon joined by [[Bill Berry]] and [[Mike Mills]], and named themselves R.E.M., a name Stipe selected at random from a dictionary.<ref>Buckley, p. 39</ref> Stipe was the youngest member of the band.

All four members of R.E.M. dropped out of school in 1980 to focus on the new band.<ref>Buckley, p. 43</ref> Stipe was the last to do so. The band issued its debut single, "[[Radio Free Europe (Hib-Tone version)|Radio Free Europe]]," on [[Hib-Tone]]; it was a [[Campus radio|college radio]] success. The band signed to [[I.R.S. Records]] for the release of the ''[[Chronic Town]]'' [[Extended play|EP]] one year later. In 1983, R.E.M. released its debut album, ''[[Murmur (album)|Murmur]],'' which was acclaimed by critics. Stipe's vocals and lyrics received particular attention from listeners.<ref name="buckley87">Buckley, p. 87</ref> ''Murmur'' went on to win the ''Rolling Stone'' Critics Poll Album of the Year over [[Michael Jackson]]'s ''[[Thriller (Michael Jackson album)|Thriller]]''. Their second album, ''[[Reckoning (R.E.M. album)|Reckoning]]'', followed in 1984.

In 1985, R.E.M. traveled to England to record their third album, ''[[Fables of the Reconstruction]]'', a difficult process that brought the band to the verge of a break up.<ref>Buckley, p. 135</ref> After the album was released, relationships in the band remained tense. Gaining weight and acting eccentrically (such as by shaving his hair into a monk's tonsure), Stipe later identified himself as suffering from depression and exhaustion during this period, saying "I was well on my way to losing my mind."<ref>Cameron, Keith. "Captains of Industry". ''[[Mojo (magazine)|Mojo]]''. July 2003</ref><ref>{{cite podcast |url=https://www.npr.org/2022/05/23/1100876369/michael-stipe |title=Michael Stipe: Michael Stipe on his new music, photography and more |website=npr.org |publisher=Maximum Fun |host=Jesse Thorn |date=May 24, 2022 |time=34:10 |access-date=May 28, 2022}}</ref>

They toured in Canada and throughout Europe that year; Stipe had bleached his hair blond during this time.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/rem-mn0000325459/biography |author=Erlewine, Stephen Thomas |title= Artist Biography |publisher=AllMusic |access-date=January 1, 2015 |quote=Stipe, whose on-stage behavior was always slightly strange, entered his most bizarre phase, as he put on weight, dyed his hair bleached blonde, and wore countless layers of clothing.}}</ref><ref>Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/-AuIH1T9PTA Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20150518192620/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-AuIH1T9PTA Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-AuIH1T9PTA |author=Thompkins, Tim |date=August 29, 2007 |title=Michael Stipe (R.E.M.) Interview (1985) |publisher=Murmurs.com / [[YouTube]] |access-date=January 1, 2015}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

Bill Berry left R.E.M. in 1997, and the other members continued as a three-piece. R.E.M. disbanded amicably in 2011. Stipe confirmed in 2021 that they had no plans to reunite.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Triscari |first=Caleb |date=2021-09-22 |title=Michael Stipe confirms R.E.M. will never reunite |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/michael-stipe-confirms-r-e-m-will-never-reunite-3051669 |access-date=2022-09-13 |website=NME |language=en-GB}}</ref>

===Projects===
In September 1983, a few months after the release of R.E.M.'s debut album, Stipe participated in a low-budget, forty-five-minute [[Super-8]] film called ''Just Like a Movie'', shot in Athens by ''[[New York Rocker]]'' magazine photographer Laura Levine, who was a friend of the band. Those with acting roles in the film included Levine, Stipe, his sister Lynda, [[Matthew Sweet]] (who formed a short-lived duo, [[Community Trolls]], with Michael Stipe),<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.amazon.com/To-Understand-Early-Recordings-Matthew/dp/B00006K09F |title=To Understand: The Early Recordings of Matthew Sweet: Music |website=Amazon |access-date=2013-08-01}}</ref> and R.E.M.'s Bill Berry.<ref>{{harvnb|Jovanovic|2006|p=74}}</ref> The film remains unreleased.

In the period between 1990 and 1992, Stipe was involved with the band [[Chickasaw Mudd Puppies]]. He co-produced and featured on their two albums: ''White Dirt'' (1990) and ''8 Track Stomp'' (1991).<ref name=":02">{{Cite journal|last=Aston|first=Martin|date=March 5, 1991|title=8 Track Stomp review|journal=Q Magazine|volume=55|pages=67}}</ref>

Stipe had planned a collaboration with friend [[Kurt Cobain]], lead singer of [[Nirvana (band)|Nirvana]], in 1994; this was partly an attempt to lure Cobain away from his home and his drug addiction. However, they did not manage to compose or record anything before [[Death of Kurt Cobain|Cobain's death]]. Stipe was chosen as the godfather of Cobain and [[Courtney Love]]'s daughter, [[Frances Bean Cobain]]. R.E.M. recorded the song "Let Me In" from the 1994 album [[Monster (R.E.M. album)|''Monster'']] in tribute to Cobain.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/the-heartbreaking-song-r-e-m-wrote-as-a-plea-to-kurt-cobain/ |title=The heartbreaking song R.E.M. wrote as a "plea" to Kurt Cobain |first=Sam |last=Kemp |date=November 11, 2021 |work=[[Far Out Magazine]]}}</ref> In 2023, Stipe would officiate the younger Cobain's wedding to [[Riley Hawk]].<ref name="sdut">{{Cite news |newspaper=The San Diego Union-Tribune |date=2023-10-25 |accessdate=2023-10-25 |title=Local pro skater Riley Hawk marries Frances Bean Cobain in ceremony officiated by R.E.M. singer Michael Stipe |url=https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/entertainment/story/2023-10-25/local-skater-riley-hawk-marries-frances-bean-cobain-in-ceremony-officiated-by-r-e-m-frontman-michael-stipe |first=JOnah |last=Valdez |language=en-US}}</ref>

[[File:Michael Stipe 1998.jpg|thumb|upright=0.7|Stipe in 1998]]
Stipe was once very close to fellow [[alternative rock]] singer [[Natalie Merchant]] and has recorded a few songs with her, including one titled "Photograph," which appeared on a pro-choice benefit album titled ''[[Born to Choose]]'', and they appeared live with [[Peter Gabriel]] singing Gabriel's single "[[Red Rain (song)|Red Rain]]" at the 1996 [[VH1]] Honors and a few other times.<ref>[https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/how-we-met-michael-stipe-and-natalie-merchant-1183710.html How we met: Michael Stipe and natalie Merchant | The Independent<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>

Stipe and [[Tori Amos]] became friends in the mid-1990s and recorded a duet in 1994 called "It Might Hurt a Bit" for the ''[[Don Juan DeMarco]]'' motion picture soundtrack. Both Stipe and Amos decided not to release it.

In 1998, Stipe published a collection called ''Two Times Intro: On the Road with Patti Smith.'' In 2006, Stipe released an EP that comprised six different cover versions of [[Joseph Arthur]]'s "[[In the Sun (Joseph Arthur song)|In The Sun]]" for the [[Hurricane Katrina disaster relief]] fund. One version, recorded in a collaboration with [[Coldplay]]'s [[Chris Martin]], reached number one on the Canadian Singles Chart.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://jam.canoe.ca/Music/Charts/SINGLES.html |title=jam.canoe.ca |publisher=jam.canoe.ca |access-date=2014-06-29 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20050417042043/http%3A//jam.canoe.ca/Music/Charts/SINGLES.html |archive-date=April 17, 2005 }}</ref> Also in 2006, Stipe appeared on the song "Broken Promise" on the [[Placebo (band)|Placebo]] release ''[[Meds (album)|Meds]]''. Continuing his non-R.E.M. work in 2006, Stipe sang the song "L'Hôtel" on the tribute album to [[Serge Gainsbourg]] titled ''[[Monsieur Gainsbourg Revisited]]'' and appeared on the song "Dancing on the Lip of a Volcano" on the [[New York Dolls]] album ''[[One Day It Will Please Us to Remember Even This]]''. He recorded a song with [[Miguel Bosé]] on the album ''[[Papito (album)|Papito]],'' "Lo que ves es lo que hay."

[[File:R.E.M. (56).JPG|thumb|left|Stipe performing with R.E.M. in 2008.]]
Stipe collaborated with [[Lacoste]] in 2008 to release his own "holiday collector edition" brand of [[polo shirt]]. The design depicts a concert audience from the view of the performer on stage.<ref>[http://www.lacoste.com/michaelstipe/index.php?GL=EN Michael Stipe Holiday Collector's Series at Lacoste.com] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081112053839/http://www.lacoste.com/michaelstipe/index.php?GL=EN |date=November 12, 2008 }}</ref> He appeared with [[Chris Martin]] of [[Coldplay]] live at [[Madison Square Garden]] and online to perform "[[Losing My Religion]]" in the [[12-12-12: The Concert for Sandy Relief|12-12-12 concert]] raising money for relief from [[Hurricane Sandy]].<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/pictures/live-at-the-12-12-12-sandy-benefit-concert-20121213/chris-martin-and-michael-stipe-0417830|title=Live at the '12-12-12' Sandy Benefit Concert|date=December 13, 2012|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|access-date=January 15, 2018}}</ref> A new recording from Stipe and featuring [[Courtney Love]] was revealed in 2013. The song, "Rio Grande," is taken from [[Johnny Depp]]'s pirate-themed album, ''[[Son of Rogues Gallery: Pirate Ballads, Sea Songs & Chanteys|Son of Rogue's Gallery]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.spin.com/2013/02/michael-stipe-courtney-love-rio-grande-duet/ |title=Michael Stipe and Courtney Love Bid Bon Voyage on 'Rio Grande' Duet &#124; SPIN &#124; SPIN Mix &#124; Songs |publisher=SPIN |date=February 12, 2013 |access-date=2013-08-01}}</ref> Stipe also created the soundtrack for ''[[The Cold Lands (film)|The Cold Lands]]'' (2013), a film by Stipe's friend director [[Tom Gilroy]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/michael-stipe/77708|title=Michael Stipe reveals first new music since REM split|work=[[New Musical Express]]|date=June 4, 2014|access-date=June 4, 2014}}</ref>

Stipe inducted the American grunge band [[Nirvana (band)|Nirvana]] into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on April 10, 2014.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/michael-stipe-inducts-nirvana-into-rock-and-roll-hall-of-fame-20140411|title=Michael Stipe Inducts Nirvana Into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame|last=Murray|first=Nick|date=April 11, 2014|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|access-date=January 15, 2018}}</ref> He debuted his first solo composition at [[Moogfest]] in 2017.<ref name="moogfest">{{Cite web |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/72241-michael-stipe-to-debut-new-solo-composition-at-moogfest/ |title=Michael Stipe to Debut New Solo Composition at MoogFest |last=Yoo |first=Noah |date=March 15, 2017 |publisher=[[Pitchfork Media]]}}</ref> In June 2017, it was revealed that Stipe had returned to recording, acting as producer and co-writer for [[Fischerspooner]]'s single "Have Fun Tonight", the lead single from their album ''[[Sir (album)|Sir]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/fischerspooner-team-with-michael-stipe-for-new-song-have-fun-tonight-watch-the-video/|title=Fischerspooner Team with Michael Stipe for New Song "Have Fun Tonight" |last=Minsker|first=Evan|date=June 19, 2017|access-date=June 19, 2017|publisher=[[Pitchfork Media]]}}</ref> Stipe would go on to produce and co-write the entire ''Sir'' album, released on February 16, 2018.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/fischerspooner-sir/|title=Fischerspooner: Sir Album Review |last=Collins|first=Sean|date=February 17, 2018|access-date=May 27, 2024|publisher=[[Pitchfork Media]]}}</ref> Stipe released the solo song "Future, If Future" on March 24, 2018,<ref name="future">{{Cite web |url=http://www.remhq.com/news/michaels-new-song-future-if-future/ |date=March 24, 2018 |publisher=[[R.E.M.]] |title=Michael's New Song: "Future, If Future"}}</ref> followed by "Your Capricious Soul" on October 5, 2019.<ref name="ycs">{{Cite web |url=https://www.remhq.com/news/michael-to-release-solo-single-your-capricious-soul-via-michaelstipe-com-on-october-5th/ |access-date=October 2, 2019 |date=October 3, 2019 |publisher=[[R.E.M.]] |title=Michael to Release Solo Single "Your Capricious Soul" via MichaelStipe.com on October 5}}</ref> "Drive to the Ocean" was released for his 60th birthday on January 4, 2020.<ref name="dtto">{{Cite web |url=https://www.remhq.com/news/michael-stipe-to-release-second-solo-single-drive-to-the-ocean-on-jan-4th/ |title=Michael Stipe to Release Second Solo Single 'Drive to the Ocean' on Jan.&nbsp;4th |publisher=[[R.E.M.]] |date=December 31, 2019 |access-date=January 1, 2020}}</ref>

Photography has long been a passion for Stipe and he has been carrying a camera with him since his teenage years when he photographed shows featuring [[Ramones]], [[The Runaways]] and [[Queen (band)|Queen]].<ref name="jonze">{{cite web|last=Jonze|first=Tim|title=REM's Michael Stipe on his 37,000 photos – of stars, lovers and Kurt Cobain's hands|url=https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2019/apr/24/rem-michael-stipe-7000-photos-stars-lovers-kurt-cobains-hands|work=[[The Guardian]]|date=April 24, 2019|access-date=October 20, 2019}}</ref> In 2018, Stipe released a book of his photography entitled ''Volume 1,''<ref>{{cite web|last=Battaglia|first=Andy|title='Here I Am—Take It': Michael Stipe's New Photo Book Bares All (or at Least Some)|url=http://www.artnews.com/2018/07/03/take-michael-stipes-new-photo-book-bares-least/|work=[[ARTnews]]|date=July 3, 2018|access-date=October 20, 2019}}</ref> which featured 35 photographs of such celebrities as [[River Phoenix]] and Kurt Cobain.<ref name="jonze"/> A second volume with [[Douglas Coupland]], ''Our Interference Times: A Visual Record'', was released in 2019.<ref name="sawyer">{{cite web|last=Sawyer|first=Miranda|title=It's the end of the world as we know it... and Michael Stipe feels fine |url=https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2019/oct/20/michael-stipe-photography-art-solo-single-extinction-rebellion|work=[[The Guardian]]|date=October 20, 2019|access-date=October 20, 2019}}</ref>

In 2019, Stipe collaborated with [[Aaron Dessner]] and [[Justin Vernon]]'s band [[Big Red Machine (band)|Big Red Machine]] on the single "No Time For Love Like Now." The song was finished and released in 2020 during the [[COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Martoccio|first=Angie|date=2020-06-11|title=Michael Stipe, Big Red Machine Drop 'No Time for Love Like Now' Video|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/michael-stiphine-big-red-machine-no-time-for-love-like-now-1012823/|access-date=2020-07-29|magazine=Rolling Stone|language=en-US}}</ref>

Stipe began recording his first solo album at [[Electric Lady Studios]] in New York City in 2023, writing and producing "synth-infused, poppy" songs with longtime collaborator [[Andy LeMaster]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/03/magazine/michael-stipe-solo-album.html|title=Michael Stipe Is Writing His Next Act. Slowly.|last=Mooallem|first=Jon|date=2023-12-03|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|access-date=2023-12-11|author-link=Jon Mooallem}}</ref>

===Film and television work===
[[File:Michael Stipe by David Shankbone.jpg|thumb|Stipe at the 2007 [[Tribeca Film Festival]]]]

In early 1987, Stipe and Jim McKay co-founded C-00 Films,<ref name=":0" /> a mixed-media company that was "designed to channel its founder's creative talents towards the creation and promotion of alternative film works."<ref>Buckley, p. 144-45</ref> Stipe and his producing partner, [[Sandy Stern]], have served as executive producers on films including ''[[Being John Malkovich]]'', ''[[Velvet Goldmine]]'', and ''[[Man on the Moon (film)|Man on the Moon]]''.<ref>Buckley, p. 296</ref> He was also credited as a producer of the 2004 film ''[[Saved!]]''<ref>[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0332375/fullcredits#cast ''Saved!'' (2004)&nbsp;– Full cast and crew<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>

In 1998, he worked on Single Cell Pictures, a film production company that released several arthouse/indie movies.

Stipe has made a number of acting appearances on film and on television. He appeared in an episode of ''[[The Adventures of Pete & Pete]]'' as an ice cream man named Captain Scrummy.<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/article/1995/07/14/michael-stipe-opens-little/|title=Michael Stipe opens up . . . a little|date=July 14, 1995|access-date=August 7, 2024|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|last=Browne|first=David}}</ref>

Stipe has appeared as himself with R.E.M. on ''[[Sesame Street]]'', playing a reworked version of "[[Shiny Happy People]]" titled "Furry Happy Monsters", and appeared in an episode of ''[[The Simpsons]]'' titled "[[Homer the Moe]]", in which R.E.M. was tricked into playing a show in [[Homer Simpson]]'s garage. He also appeared as a guest on the [[Cartoon Network]] talk show spoof ''[[Space Ghost Coast to Coast]]'' in the episode "Hungry". Stipe made several short appearances on ''[[The Colbert Report]]''.

Stipe voiced Schnitzel the Reindeer in the 1999 movie ''[[Olive, the Other Reindeer]]'' and appeared in the 1996 film ''[[Color of a Brisk and Leaping Day]]''.<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/article/1995/07/14/michael-stipe-opens-little/|title=Michael Stipe opens up . . . a little|date=July 14, 1995|access-date=February 19, 2022|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|last=Browne|first=David}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | last = Maslin| first =Janet | title =Trying to Rescue a Beloved Relic of the Past | newspaper =[[New York Times]] | location = | pages = | language = | publisher = | date =March 23, 1996 | url =https://www.nytimes.com/1996/03/23/movies/film-festival-review-trying-to-rescue-a-beloved-relic-of-the-past.html| accessdate =February 23, 2022}}</ref>

===Political activism===
[[File:Michael Stipe Wants You to Join the Fight to DivestNY.webm|thumb|Stipe encouraging fellow residents of [[New York City]] to divest from [[fossil fuels]] in 2017]]
In March 2006, Stipe, along with other musicians, held a protest concert against the Iraq War.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/22/arts/music/against-the-war-michael-stipe-steve-earle-and-lots-of-others.html|title=
Against the War, Michael Stipe, Steve Earle and Lots of Others|newspaper=New York Times|date=March 22, 2006}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/pictures/anti-war-benefit-concert/7/|title=Anti-War Benefit Concert|website=CBS News|date=March 21, 2006}}</ref>
In March 2018, Stipe joined the "[[March for Our Lives]]" rallies to advocate [[gun control]] after the [[Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting]]. He also released a teaser of his new song in the rally.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2018/03/michael-stipe-teases-his-first-ever-solo-song.html|title=Michael Stipe Teases His First Ever Solo Song|work=pastemagazine.com|access-date=April 2, 2018|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.spin.com/2018/03/michael-stipe-r-e-m-future-if-future-teaser/|title=Hear a 10-Second Teaser of New Solo Material from R.E.M. Frontman Michael Stipe|date=March 24, 2018|work=Spin|access-date=April 2, 2018}}</ref>

In a 2021 interview for ''[[Jacobin (magazine)|Jacobin]]'', Stipe described himself as a [[democratic socialist]], and said that he was a member of the [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic Party]] so he could vote in Democratic primaries.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://jacobinmag.com/2021/10/rem-michael-stipe-interview-alternative-rock-activism|title=R.E.M.'s Michael Stipe Talks to Jacobin|first=Garrison|last=Lovely|magazine=Jacobin|date=October 21, 2021}}</ref> He endorsed [[Bernie Sanders]]' [[Bernie Sanders 2016 presidential campaign|2016]] and [[Bernie Sanders 2020 presidential campaign|2020]] presidential campaigns.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/rem-7-1195247 |title=Michael Stipe explains Bernie Sanders support: 'I seek out and listen for honesty and realness' |last=Hendicott |first=James |date=February 25, 2016 |website=[[nme.com]] | access-date=December 25, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2020/02/24/hundreds-of-artists-endorse-bernie-sanders-for-us-president |title=Hundreds of artists endorse Bernie Sanders for US President |last=Ludel |first=Wallace |date=February 24, 2020 |website=[[theartnewspaper.com]]|access-date=December 25, 2021}}</ref>

Stipe expressed solidarity with the people of the [[Gaza Strip]] during the [[Gaza war]]. He signed an October 2023 open letter of artists to President [[Joe Biden]] urging a ceasefire in Gaza.<ref>{{cite news |title=Hollywood stars who broke silence on Israel- Palestine conflict, here is the list |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/us/hollywood-stars-who-broke-silence-on-israel-palestine-conflict-here-is-the-list/articleshow/104834313.cms?from=mdr |work=The Economic Times |date=October 31, 2023}}</ref>

==Personal life==
Stipe is vegetarian and co-owned a vegetarian restaurant, Guaranteed, in [[Athens, Georgia]].<ref name=":0" /> Though many people think he also owned The Grit, he was the landlord of the building and not the restaurant owner. He lives with his long-term partner, photographer Thomas Dozol, in [[New York City|New York]] and [[Berlin]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-01-11|title=Michael Stipe: 'Who would I say sorry to? Everyone I slept with before the age of 27'|url=http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2020/jan/11/michael-stipe-who-would-i-say-sorry-to-everyone-i-slept-with-before-the-age-of-27|access-date=2021-08-26|website=the Guardian|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-10-20|title=It's the end of the world as we know it... and Michael Stipe feels fine|url=http://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2019/oct/20/michael-stipe-photography-art-solo-single-extinction-rebellion|access-date=2021-08-26|website=the Guardian|language=en}}</ref>

In 1983, Stipe met [[Natalie Merchant]] of the band [[10,000 Maniacs]]; the two started a friendship, and eventually had a romantic relationship for a period of time.<ref name="McNair 1998">{{cite web | last=McNair | first=Interviews James | title=How we met: Michael Stipe and natalie Merchant | website=The Independent | date=1998-11-08 | url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/how-we-met-michael-stipe-and-natalie-merchant-1183710.html | access-date=2018-01-15}}</ref>

With the success of the albums ''[[Out of Time (album)|Out of Time]]'' (1991) and ''[[Automatic for the People]]'' (1992), R.E.M. became mainstream music stars. Around 1992, rumors that Stipe had contracted [[HIV/AIDS|HIV]] began to circulate. He responded with the following:

{{blockquote|Not that I can tell. I wore a hat that said "White House Stop AIDS." I'm skinny. I've always been skinny, except in 1985 when I looked like [[Marlon Brando]], the last time I shaved my head. I was really sick then. Eating
potatoes. I think AIDS hysteria would obviously and naturally extend to people who are media figures and anybody of indecipherable or unpronounced sexuality. Anybody who looks gaunt, for whatever reason. Anybody who is associated, for whatever reason&nbsp;– whether it's a hat, or the way I carry myself&nbsp;– as being queer-friendly.<ref name="Q 1994">Cavanagh, David. "Tune in, cheer up, rock out". ''[[Q (magazine)|Q]]''. October 1994.</ref>|title=|source=}}

In 1994, with questions remaining, Stipe described himself as "an equal opportunity [[Lechery|lech]]," and said he did not define himself as [[Homosexuality|gay]], [[heterosexuality|straight]] or [[bisexual]], but that he was attracted to, and had relationships with, both men and women. In 1995, he appeared on the cover of [[Out (magazine)|''Out'' magazine]]. Stipe described himself as a "[[queer]] artist" in ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' in 2001 and revealed that he had been in a relationship with "an amazing man" for three years at that point.<ref>Farley, Christopher John. "Michael Stipe and the Ageless Boys of R.E.M." ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]''. May 2001</ref> Stipe reiterated this in a 2004 interview with [[Butt (magazine)|''Butt'' magazine]]. When asked if he ever declares himself as gay, Stipe stated, "I don't. I think there's a line drawn between gay and queer, and for me, queer describes something that's more inclusive of the grey areas."<ref>Tilmanns, Wolfgang. [http://www.buttmagazine.com/?p=143 "Non-Gay Queer Popstar from R.E.M. Collects Sugar Packets and Was De-virginised at Age Seven"]. [[Butt (magazine)|''Butt'']]. February 2004.</ref>

In 1999, author [[Douglas A. Martin]] published a novel, ''Outline of My Lover'', in which the narrator has a six-year romantic relationship with the unnamed lead singer of a successful Athens, Georgia-based rock band; the book was widely speculated, and later confirmed by its author, to have been a [[roman à clef]] based on a real relationship between Martin and Stipe.<ref>[http://www.portlandmercury.com/books/readings-listings/Content?oid=22537 "Readings Listings"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160404212502/http://www.portlandmercury.com/books/readings-listings/Content?oid=22537 |date=April 4, 2016 }}, ''[[The Portland Mercury]]'', July 27, 2000.</ref><ref>[http://www.dallasvoice.com/instant-tea/2009/01/18/michael-stipes-and-his-boyfriends-apartment/ "Turning Michael Stipe inside out"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090225103005/http://www.dallasvoice.com/instant-tea/2009/01/18/michael-stipes-and-his-boyfriends-apartment/ |date=February 25, 2009 }}, Daniel A. Kusner, ''[[Dallas Voice]]'', 2001</ref> The two had previously collaborated on two books, both in 1998: ''The Haiku Year'' (for which the two had both contributed [[haiku]])<ref>[http://www.softskull.com/detailedbook.php?isbn=1-932360-16-6 ''The Haiku Year''] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091124013015/http://softskull.com/detailedbook.php?isbn=1-932360-16-6 |date=November 24, 2009 }}, [[Soft Skull Press]]</ref> and Martin's book of poetry ''Servicing the Salamander'' (for which Stipe took the cover photograph).

==Musical style==
[[File:Michael Stipe at Langerado 2008.jpg|thumb|left|Stipe with R.E.M. performing at Langerado in 2008]]
Stipe has a [[baritone]] vocal range.<ref name="avc">{{Cite web |url=https://www.avclub.com/18-spoken-word-songs-from-artists-that-usually-sang-1798274963 |title=18 spoken-word songs from artists that usually sang |last1=Hassenger |first1=Jesse |first2=Josh |last2=Modell |first3=Molly |last3=Eichel |first4=Sean |last4=O'Neal |first5=Erik |last5=Adams |first6=Les |last6=Chappell |language=en-US |publisher=[[The A.V. Club]] |date=2014-12-10 |accessdate=2023-05-13}}</ref> His role in the songwriting process for R.E.M. was to write lyrics and devise melodies.<ref>Buckley, p. 85</ref> While each member was given an equal vote in the songwriting process, Peter Buck has conceded that Stipe, as the band's lyricist, could rarely be persuaded to follow an idea he did not favor.<ref name="remote control">Fricke, David. "Living Up to ''Out of Time''/Remote Control: Parts I and II". ''Melody Maker''. October 3, 1992.</ref> Stipe sings in "wailing, keening, arching vocal figures" that R.E.M. biographer David Buckley compared to [[Celtic music|Celtic folk]] artists and [[Muslim]] [[muezzin]].<ref name="buckley87" /> Stipe often harmonizes with Mills in songs; in the chorus for "Stand", Mills and Stipe alternate singing lyrics, creating a dialogue.<ref>Buckley, p. 180–81</ref> Early articles about the band focused on Stipe's singing style (described as "mumbling" by ''[[The Washington Post]]''), which often rendered his lyrics indecipherable.<ref>Sasfy, Joe. "Reckoning with R.E.M.". ''The Washington Post''. May 10, 1984.</ref> Stipe commented in 1984, "It's just the way I sing. If I tried to control it, it would be pretty false."<ref name="Platt bucketfull">Platt, John. "R.E.M.". ''[[Bucketfull of Brains]]''. December 1984.</ref>

[[Image:Michael Stipe at Glastonbury.jpg|thumb|right|upright=0.7|Stipe performing at the 1999 [[Glastonbury Festival]] with his "Goblin" make up]]
Stipe has earned recognition from the music industry for his unique voice. [[Bono]] remarked in 2003 that Stipe has an "extraordinary voice," adding "I often tell him I think he's a [[crooner]], and he doesn't like that very much. But it is sort of one part some sort of [[Bing Crosby]] '50s laid-back crooner, and one part [[Dolly Parton]]."<ref name="southbankshow"/> In 2023, ''Rolling Stone'' ranked Stipe at number 152 on its list of the 200 Greatest Singers of All Time.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=The 200 Greatest Singers of All Time|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|date=January 1, 2023|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/best-singers-all-time-1234642307/michael-stipe-11-1234642338/|access-date=April 3, 2023}}</ref>

Stipe insisted that many of his early lyrics were "nonsense," saying in a 1994 online chat, "You all know there aren't words, ''per se'', to a lot of the early stuff. I can't even remember them." In truth, many early R.E.M. songs had definite lyrics that Stipe wrote with care.<ref>Buckley, p. 88</ref> Stipe explained in 1984 that when he started writing lyrics they were like "simple pictures," but after a year he grew tired of the approach and "started experimenting with lyrics that didn't make exact linear sense, and it's just gone from there."<ref name="Platt bucketfull" /> In the mid-1980s, as Stipe's pronunciation while singing became clearer, the band decided that its lyrics should convey ideas on a more literal level.<ref>Buckley, p. 143</ref> Mills explained, "After you've made three records and you've written several songs and they've gotten better and better lyrically the next step would be to have somebody question you and say, are you saying anything? And Michael had the confidence at that point to say yes...."<ref>Buckley, p. 150</ref> After what Stipe has referred to as "The Dark Ages of American Politics" [The Reagan/Bush Years], R.E.M. incorporated more politically oriented concerns into his lyrics on ''Document'' and ''Green''. "Our political activism and the content of the songs was just a reaction to where we were, and what we were surrounded by, which was just abject horror," Stipe said later. "In 1987 and '88 there was nothing to do but be active."<ref name="Perth">Olliffe, Michael. "R.E.M. in Perth". ''On the Street''. January 17, 1995.</ref> While Stipe continued to write songs with political subject matter like "Ignoreland" and "Final Straw," later albums have focused on other topics. ''Automatic for the People'' dealt with "mortality and dying. Pretty turgid stuff," according to Stipe;<ref name="Q 1994"/> ''Monster,'' meanwhile, critiqued love and mass culture,<ref name="Perth" /> and ''Reveal'' dipped into mysticism.

==Discography==
{{For|releases with R.E.M.|R.E.M. discography}}
{{div col}}
'''Solo releases'''
* "Arms of Love" on the compilation album ''In Defense of Animals Benefit Compilation'' (1993)
* "Full Moon" on the soundtrack album [[Short Cuts (soundtrack)|Short Cuts]] (1993)
* "[[In the Sun (Joseph Arthur song)#Michael Stipe's cover version|In the Sun]]" <small>(with [[Chris Martin]])</small> (2006)
* "Rio Grande" <small>(with [[Courtney Love]])</small> on ''[[Son of Rogues Gallery: Pirate Ballads, Sea Songs & Chanteys]]'' (2013)
* "Your Capricious Soul" (2019)
* "Drive to the Ocean" (2020)
* "No Time for Love Like Now" <small>(with [[Big Red Machine (band)|Big Red Machine]])</small> (2020)
* "[[Sunday Morning (The Velvet Underground song)|Sunday Morning]]" on ''[[I'll Be Your Mirror: A Tribute to The Velvet Underground & Nico]]'' (2021)

'''Guest appearances'''
* With [[the Golden Palominos]]: "Boy (Go)", "Omaha" and "Clustering Train"  on ''[[Visions of Excess]]'' (1985); "[[Alive and Living Now]]" on ''[[Drunk with Passion]]'' (1991)
* With Our Favorite Band: "Dreamin' of Eternity" ''Saturday Nights ... Sunday Mornings'' (1987)
* With [[10,000 Maniacs]]: "A Campfire Song" on ''[[In My Tribe]]'' (1987); "To Sir, with Love" and "Candy Everybody Wants" on ''Few & Far Between'' EP (1993)
* With [[Warren Zevon]]: "Bad Karma" on ''[[Sentimental Hygiene]]'' (1987) (Berry, Buck, and Mills of R.E.M. served as Zevon's primary backing band on the record as well)
* With the [[Indigo Girls]]: "Kid Fears" on ''[[Indigo Girls (album)|Indigo Girls]]'' (1989); "I'll Give You My Skin" on ''[[Rarities (Indigo Girls album)|Rarities]]'' (2005)
* With [[Natalie Merchant]] and [[Mark Bingham (musician/music producer)|Mark Bingham]] and [[the Roches]]: "Opening Melody&nbsp;– Little April Shower" on ''[[Stay Awake: Various Interpretations of Music from Vintage Disney Films]]''
* With [[Syd Straw]]: "Future 40's" on ''[[Surprise (Syd Straw album)|Surprise]]'' (1989)
* With [[the Blue Aeroplanes]]: "What It Is" on ''Swagger'' (1990)
* With [[Robyn Hitchcock]]: "She Doesn't Exist" on ''[[Perspex Island]]'', and "Dark Green Energy", 'B'-side to "Ultra Unbelievable Love" (1991)
* With [[Billy Bragg]]: "You Woke Up My Neighbourhood" on ''[[Don't Try This at Home (Billy Bragg album)|Don't Try This at Home]]'' (1991)
* With [[KRS-One]]: "Civilization Vs. Technology" on the H.E.A.L. compilation ''Civilization vs. Technology'' (1991)
* With [[Neneh Cherry]]: "Trout" on ''[[Homebrew (Neneh Cherry album)|Homebrew]]'' (1992)
* With [[Kristin Hersh]]: "[[Your Ghost]]" on ''[[Hips and Makers]]'' (1994)
* With [[Michael Brook]]: [[Ill Wind (song)|"Ill Wind (You're Blowing Me No Good)"]] on ''[[Albino Alligator#Soundtrack|Albino Alligator]]'' (1997)
* "My Gang" on ''Kerouac: Kicks Joy Darkness'' (1997)
* With [[Vic Chesnutt]]: "Injured Bird" on ''[[The End of Violence]]'' (1997)
* With [[Patti Smith]]: "Last Call" on ''[[Peace and Noise]]'' (1997); "[[Glitter in Their Eyes]]" on ''[[Gung Ho (album)|Gung-Ho]]'' (2000)
* With [[Rain Phoenix]]: "Happiness" on the soundtrack for the film ''[[Happiness (1998 film)|Happiness]]'' (1998)
* With [[Grant Lee Buffalo]]: "Everybody Needs a Little Sanctuary" on ''[[Jubilee (Grant Lee Buffalo album)|Jubilee]]'' (1998)
* With [[Spacehog]]: "Almond Kisses" on ''[[The Chinese Album]]'' (1998)
* With [[Utah Saints]]: "Sun", "Punk Club", "Rhinoceros" and "Wiggedy Wack" on ''[[Two (Utah Saints album)|Two]]'' (2000)
* With [[Community Trolls]]: "Tainted Obligation" (1983) on ''[[To Understand: The Early Recordings of Matthew Sweet]]'' (2002)
* With Artists Against AIDS Worldwide: "[[What's Going On (remix album)|What's Going On]]" (2001)
* With [[Faultline (musician)|Faultline]]: "Greenfields" on ''Your Love Means Everything'' (2002)
* With [[1 Giant Leap]]: "The Way You Dream" on ''[[1 Giant Leap (album)|1 Giant Leap]]'' (2002); ''I Have Seen Trouble'' on ''[[What About Me? (1 Giant Leap album)|What About Me?]]'' (2009)
* With [[Stéphane Pompougnac]]: "Clumsy" on ''[[Living on the Edge (Stéphane Pompougnac album)|Living on the Edge]]'' (2003)
* "L'Hôtel" (Serge Gainsbourg cover) on ''[[Monsieur Gainsbourg Revisited]]'' (2006)
* With [[the New York Dolls]]: "Dancing on the Lip of a Volcano" on ''[[One Day It Will Please Us to Remember Even This]]'' (2006)
* With [[Placebo (band)|Placebo]]: "Broken Promise" on ''[[Meds (album)|Meds]]'' (2006)
* With [[Miguel Bosé]]: "Lo que hay es lo que ves" on ''[[Papito (album)|Papito]]'' (2007)
* With [[Maria Taylor (musician)|Maria Taylor]]: "Cartoons And Forever Plans" on ''[[LadyLuck]]'' (2009)
* "Souris nocturne" on ''Souris Calle'' (2018)<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/bono-pharrell-michael-stipe-sophie-calle-dead-cat-album-738816/|title=Bono, Pharrell, Michael Stipe Contribute to Artist's Album Honoring Dead Cat|last=Blistein|first=Jon|date=2018-10-17|magazine=Rolling Stone|access-date=2018-10-25|language=en-US}}</ref>
* With [[Rain Phoenix]]: "Time Is the Killer" on ''[[Time Gone]]'' (2019)
* With [[Mykki Blanco]]: "Family Ties" on ''[[Stay Close to Music]]'' (2022)

'''Production'''
In addition to co-producing most of R.E.M.'s output, Stipe has also produced the following:
* Hugo Largo: "[[Drum (album)|Drum]]" (1988), "Opal/Warner Brothers" (1988)<ref>[http://www.trouserpress.com/entry.php?a=hugo_largo Hugo Largo] at TrouserPress.com</ref>
* Chickasaw Mudd Puppies: ''White Dirt'' (1990) and ''[[8 Track Stomp]]'' (1991) – co-produced with [[Willie Dixon]].
* With Vic Chesnutt: "[[Little (album)|Little]]" (1990), "[[West of Rome]]" (1992)
* With [[Magnapop]]: ''[[Magnapop (album)|Magnapop]]'' (1992)
* With [[Fischerspooner]]: ''[[Sir (album)|Sir]]'' (2018)
{{div col end}}

==Books==
* ''Michael Stipe: Volume 1.'' Damiani, 2018. {{ISBN|9788862085915}}. Contains 35 photographs.<ref name="jonze"/>
* ''Our Interference Times: A Visual Record''. With [[Douglas Coupland]]. Damiani, 2019. {{ISBN|978-8862086783}}.<ref name="sawyer"/>
* ''Michael Stipe: Michael Stipe''. Damiani, 2021. {{ISBN|9788862087384}}.
* ''Even the Birds Gave Pause''. Damiani. 2023. {{ISBN|9788862088145}}.

==References==
{{reflist}}

==General references==
* Buckley, David. ''R.E.M.: Fiction: An Alternative Biography''. Virgin, 2002. {{ISBN|1-85227-927-3}}.
* {{cite book |last=Jovanovic |first=Rob |title=Michael Stipe: The Biography |publisher=Portrait |year=2006 |isbn=0-7499-5098-6}}
* Platt, John, ed. ''The R.E.M. Companion: Two Decades of Commentary''. Schirmer, 1998. {{ISBN|0-02-864935-4}}.

==External links==
{{sister project links|d=Q215182|commons=Category:Michael Stipe|b=no|v=no|voy=no|mw=no|m=no|species=no|s=no|n=no|wikt=no}}
* {{official website}}
* [http://confessionsofamichaelstipe.tumblr.com/ Tumblr blog]
* {{AllMusic}}
* {{Discogs artist}}
* {{IMDb name}}
{{R.E.M.}}
{{2007 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame}}
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