REM is an American rock band formed in Athens, Georgia in 1980. The band consists of Michael Stipe (vocals, guitar), Peter Buck (guitar), Mike Mills (bass, keyboards) and Bill Berry (drums). They are one of the most successful and critically acclaimed bands of the 1980s and 1990s, having sold more than 85 million records worldwide. Their unique sound and style has been described as alternative rock, college rock, jangle pop, and post-punk. They have been credited with helping to define the alternative rock genre and inspiring many other bands.