R.E.M. through the years

Michael Stipe and drummer Bill Berry performing in 1995.  (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

A befeathered Michael Stipe announces an award at the VH-1 Fashion Awards in 1998.  (Bruce Cotler / Associated Press)

Michael Stipe looks over the crowd at RFK Stadium in Washington D.C., in 1998.  (Ken Cedeno / Associated Press)

Michael Stipe and his Single Cell Productions produced films, including “Velvet Goldmine” and “Being John Malkovich.” Also, with R.E.M., he scored the movie about Andy Kaufman, “Man on the Moon,” whose title is taken from an R.E.M. song Stipe wrote about the comedian.   (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

Michael Stipe strikes a pose at Los Angeles’ Greek Theatre in 1999.  (Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)

Bassist Mike Mills at the Greek Theatre in 1999.  (Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)

Mike Mills, Michael Stipe and Peter Buck rehearse in Vancouver, Canada, in 2003.  (Jeff Vinnick / For The Times)

R.E.M. performs at the Hollywood Bowl in 2003.  (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

Michael Stipe and Bruce Springsteen perform together during a concert tour that raised $15 million for America Coming Together, which organized get-out-the-vote drives for Democrats in 2004.   (Evan Vucci / Associated Press)

R.E.M. band members, from left, Mike Mills, Michael Stipe and Peter Buck wave as their leave the stage at the Live 8 concert in Hyde Park in London in 2005.  (Lefteris Pitarakis / Associated Press)

Michael Stipe performs at the Live 8 London concert in Hyde Park in 2005.  (M.J. Kim / Getty Images)

Michael Stipe, Keith Richards and Patti Smith perform at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony in 2007.   (Seth Wenig / Associated Press)