This week on the First Time, Matt Everitt's guest is one of the most the most enigmatic influential singers and lyricists in music
As the frontman with R.E.M
Michael Stipe has steered the Athens Georgia fourpiece (who Stipe describes as "The band that had no goals") from the cult underground into the mainstream - setting a precedent for alternative rock bands - and opening the door for bands like Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Radiohead and whole generations of new artists.
In this rare interview, Michael talks to Matt about the early songs that shaped his music outlook (a love of Tammy Wynette, The Beatles and the soundtrack to The Parent Trap hints at the eclectism that would define his career), his close relationship with Patti Smith (who appears on the new R.E.M
album Collapse Into Now), his desire to celebrate the concept of The Album in a broken market and how his band managed to maintain their status and one of the most esoteric groups ever, while also enjoying massive world-wide mainstream success
This will also be the 'First Time' an interview from the series has been filmed - and you can see Matt in conversation with Michael online at www.bbc.co.uk/6music from the day of broadcast.
Music played-
REM-Night swimming
REM-Shiny happy people
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David Essex-Rock on
REM-Drive
Jonathan Richman-Roadrunner REM-Radio free Europe
REM-The one I love
Sérgio Mendes & Brasil '66-Mais que nada
REM-Wendell Gee
REM-Discover
Patti Smith-Birdland
Pearl Jam-Better man
REM-Mine Smell like honey
