Michael Stipe

‘Capitalism didn’t understand community’: Brian Eno steps up the climate crisis battle
The musician and activist, who has collaborated with Michael Stipe on a new song for Earth Day, is asking questions of the music industry, and the likes of Coldplay are happy to answer
Greg Cochrane
15, Apr, 2022 @6:00 AM

Michael Stipe: ‘The male idea of power is so dumb’
He was in the one of the most influential indie bands ever, but the songwriter prefers life as a visual artist. He talks presidents, parties and photographing his heroes
Miranda Sawyer
24, Apr, 2021 @8:00 AM

REM: how the arty pop gods taught a shy south Wales girl to be herself
For a teenager steeped in Welsh choir music, Michael Stipe’s kaleidoscope of artistic influences – and mega-success – were too irresistible not to follow
Jude Rogers
24, Feb, 2021 @8:08 AM

Rain Phoenix on her new album River: 'My brother has been my guiding light'
Two decades after losing her brother, Rain Phoenix is finally able to share his music. She talks about ‘the wild animal’ of grief – and learning to sing with River on street corners
Hadley Freeman
31, Oct, 2019 @4:58 PM

It’s the end of the world as we know it... and Michael Stipe feels fine
The ex-REM frontman talks us through his new collection of photographs - and explains why he’s giving all profits from his new single to Extinction Rebellion
Miranda Sawyer
20, Oct, 2019 @10:30 AM

REM's Michael Stipe on his 37,000 photos – of stars, lovers and Kurt Cobain's hands
Photography has been a lifelong passion for the singer. He talks us through his finest shots, from a sleeping River Phoenix to ‘his queer grandfather’ William Burroughs
Tim Jonze
24, Apr, 2019 @3:14 PM

The untold story of lost star River Phoenix – 25 years after his death
Phenomenally talented and famously caring, River Phoenix’s death shocked the world. His girlfriend Samantha Mathis talks for the first time about that awful night, and the man behind the myth
Hadley Freeman
25, Oct, 2018 @5:00 AM

I'm with the band: meet the pitiful proteges of pop music patrons
From Kurt Cobain espousing the middling Melvins to Kanye West signing a singer from the library circuit, an artist’s ability to make great music doesn’t always mean they can identify it
Michael Hann
28, Feb, 2018 @11:00 AM

'I'm a pretty good pop star': Michael Stipe on his favourite REM songs
In our series where musicians tell the stories behind what they regard as their greatest songs, the REM frontman reveals how glam rock, grunge and INXS inspired the band – and how internal divisions tore them apart
Michael Hann
19, Jan, 2018 @9:23 AM

REM on Out of Time at 25: ‘Being the voice of a generation is not a pretty place to be’
Their seventh album made them superstars. But the fame cost REM a band member and, nearly, their friendships. In a rare interview, five years after splitting, they discuss legacy, Trump and why they’re still sorry for Shiny Happy People
Michael Hann
03, Nov, 2016 @6:43 PM

Chelsea Manning emerges from solitary confinement after suicide attempt
‘I’m OK,’ Manning tweeted, ending several days without communication while in solitary as punishment for having tried to take her own life in military prison
Ed Pilkington in New York
12, Oct, 2016 @5:49 PM

The Music of David Bowie review – tears shed as stars pay tribute to starman
From The Flaming Lips to Cat Power to Pixies to Debbie Harry, the lineup at the heartfelt tribute night was as wide-ranging and celebrated as Bowie’s career
Jim Farber
01, Apr, 2016 @6:35 AM
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