At which university were R.E.M.'s four founders students when the band formed?

R.E.M.’s four founders were students at the University of Georgia when the band formed.

The founding lineup consisted of vocalist Michael Stipe, guitarist Peter Buck, bassist Mike Mills and drummer Bill Berry. R.E.M. formed in Athens, Georgia, in 1980, where Buck worked at the Wuxtry Records store and met Stipe. Through mutual friend Kathleen O’Brien, they connected with Mills and Berry, who had already played together in bands during high school in Macon.

The group rehearsed in a deconsecrated church and played its first show on April 5, 1980, at a birthday party in that same building. The band initially performed covers alongside original songs before becoming a leading force in Athens’ emerging alternative-rock scene.

Although all four were associated with the University of Georgia, they eventually left school as R.E.M.’s career developed. The university is therefore the answer to the formation question, while Athens is the band’s city of origin. Emory, the University of Florida and Georgia State are common but incorrect alternatives.