It's the end of the world as we know it, and I feel fine

R.E.M. have the kind of career any band worth their equipment should strive for.Modest roots in the early 80s as darlings of the college radio scene, an emergence as a premier act and phenominal success in the early 90s, and releasing consistently respected records nearly 30 years into their formation. 

Beginning in 1980, the four piece from Athens, Georgia quickly acheived local recognition behind the presence and star quality of frontman Michael Stipe.  Stipe's warbly vocals and examining, oftentimes confrontational lyrics made him the ideal medium for the introspective twentysomething in the Reagan Era. Their first breakthrough record was 1987's Document, featuring the singles "The One I Love" and "It's the End of the World as We Know it (And I Feel Fine). Document  followed up a year later by Green, which first single, the playful "Stand", was the theme song for this criminally underrated sitcom that aired on FOX. 

1991's Out of Time was the record that turned R.E.M. into international superstars, mainly fueled by the success of the single "Losing my Religion".  Follow-ups such as 1992's Automatic For The People and  1994's Monster made significant dents in the alternative landscape and kept Stipe and co. commercially viable. 

R.E.M. released their 14th studio album Accelerate in 2008. The recently openly gay Stipe (Dude, we knew the whole time) and his bandmates continue to tour and be activists for the animal and human rights.