Mike Mills

Bio

Mike Mills is a founding member of R.E.M., the internationally acclaimed rock band from Athens, Georgia. Renowned for his distinctive vocal harmonies and melodic, intricate bass lines, Mills helped define the band’s signature sound across decades of recordings and performances.

Born in Orange County, California, Mills moved to Macon, Georgia, where he and drummer Bill Berry attended the same high school. The pair later attended the University of Georgia in Athens, where they joined guitarist Peter Buck and singer Michael Stipe to form R.E.M.

The son of a professional tenor who performed on The Ed Sullivan Show and with the Naval Aviation Choir, Mills developed a strong ear for harmony and instrumental versatility at an early age. In addition to bass, he contributed piano, keyboards, vocals, and songwriting, and was widely recognized for his musicianship and production sensibilities.

R.E.M., one of the seminal groups of its generation, sold more than 80 million records worldwide and earned numerous awards, producing enduring hits such as “Losing My Religion,” “Man on the Moon,” and “Everybody Hurts.” Since the band’s disbandment in 2011, Mills has remained active in a range of musical and creative projects.