<P> The B - 52 's and R.E.M. became by far the most famous musical products of Athens in the 1980s , when both bands launched a string of hits . Their roots in the city 's local scene go back to the 1970s and early 1980s . The B - 52 's formed after a St. Valentine 's Day party in 1977 . The members had little musical knowledge , but performed new wave music with a cheeky and humorous image and sound . They were known for their campy thrift store fashion , and their unusual and eye - catching music videos for hits like `` Rock Lobster '' and `` Love Shack '' . Though the B - 52 's were the first Athens band to achieve national prominence , their popularity was soon eclipsed by R.E.M. . The future members of the band R.E.M. moved to Athens to work and / or attend the University of Georgia , including bassist Mike Mills and former drummer Bill Berry . The group began performing as R.E.M. in 1980 . They became locally prominent , and released a single , `` Radio Free Europe '' , that was a major college rock hit . Their popularity grew with a series of singles , EPs and albums that made R.E.M. the top underground band in the country , finally breaking into the mainstream with 1987 's `` The One I Love '' and `` It 's the End of the World as We Know It ( And I Feel Fine ) '' . By 1991 's Out of Time album -- which featured vocals by Kate Pierson of The B - 52s -- and its acclaimed follow - up Automatic for the People ( named after the motto of Weaver D 's , a local Athens soul - food eatery ) , R.E.M. had become one of the world 's biggest rock bands . The band 's style went through many evolutions but originally had a jangle pop sound and harmonies often compared to folk - rock band The Byrds ; singer and songwriter Michael Stipe is known for obscure , allusive lyrics delivered in a monotonous drone . The success of R.E.M. and the B - 52 's brought attention from major labels and music media to Athens , and many local bands received a career boost . </P>
<P> The B - 52 's and R.E.M. became by far the most famous musical products of Athens in the 1980s , when both bands launched a string of hits . Their roots in the city 's local scene go back to the 1970s and early 1980s . The B - 52 's formed after a St. Valentine 's Day party in 1977 . The members had little musical knowledge , but performed new wave music with a cheeky and humorous image and sound . They were known for their campy thrift store fashion , and their unusual and eye - catching music videos for hits like `` Rock Lobster '' and `` Love Shack '' . Though the B - 52 's were the first Athens band to achieve national prominence , their popularity was soon eclipsed by R.E.M. . The future members of the band R.E.M. moved to Athens to work and / or attend the University of Georgia , including bassist Mike Mills and former drummer Bill Berry . The group began performing as R.E.M. in 1980 . They became locally prominent , and released a single , `` Radio Free Europe '' , that was a major college rock hit . Their popularity grew with a series of singles , EPs and albums that made R.E.M. the top underground band in the country , finally breaking into the mainstream with 1987 's `` The One I Love '' and `` It 's the End of the World as We Know It ( And I Feel Fine ) '' . By 1991 's Out of Time album -- which featured vocals by Kate Pierson of The B - 52s -- and its acclaimed follow - up Automatic for the People ( named after the motto of Weaver D 's , a local Athens soul - food eatery ) , R.E.M. had become one of the world 's biggest rock bands . The band 's style went through many evolutions but originally had a jangle pop sound and harmonies often compared to folk - rock band The Byrds ; singer and songwriter Michael Stipe is known for obscure , allusive lyrics delivered in a monotonous drone . The success of R.E.M. and the B - 52 's brought attention from major labels and music media to Athens , and many local bands received a career boost . </P>
athens georgia was the home of this college rock band
athens georgia was the home of this college rock band
R.E.M.
R.E.M.