Which R.E.M. member is the lead guitarist?

R.E.M.'s lead guitarist is Peter Buck. His ringing, melodic guitar work became one of the defining sounds of the band's alternative-rock style.

Buck was a co-founder of R.E.M. alongside Mike Mills, Bill Berry, and Michael Stipe. He often favored clean, chiming guitar textures rather than flashy soloing, helping create the jangle-pop sound heard on much of the band's early material. He also played mandolin on several important R.E.M. songs.

The other options represent the band's remaining core members: Bill Berry was the drummer, Michael Stipe was the lead vocalist, and Mike Mills was the bassist. All four contributed to songwriting, so identifying Buck as the guitarist describes his principal role rather than suggesting he was uninvolved in the band's broader musical decisions.

Buck remained with R.E.M. from its formation in 1980 until the band dissolved in 2011. Outside R.E.M., he has worked with groups and projects including the Minus 5, Tuatara, the Baseball Project, and Arthur Buck.