The famous American singer and musician Michael Stipe is a versatile and controversial personality. A talented performer, active public figure, leader and vocalist of the R. E. M. group, among other things, he is engaged in artistic photography and manages two small film studios - S-00 and Single Cell Pictures. About the life of a musician and some of the nuances of his biography - in this article.
The start of the journey
The future famous rock and pop artist was born on January 4, 1960 in a town called Decatur, which is located in the US state of Georgia. The full name of the musician is John Michael Stipe.
The father of the future celebrity was a military man, which is why the whole family, which, in addition to parents and son, included two more daughters - sisters Cindy and Linda, constantly traveled around the garrisons. Perhaps, instead of childhood memories, only a blur remained in Michael's mind from these constant moves.
Make friends in a new placehe didn't make it. Accustomed to spending time in company with himself, Stipe became quite withdrawn and shy. Being an already quiet child, he completely immersed himself in the wilds of the inner world. Michael did not participate in any games or pranks - he watched everything from the side.
Stipe speaks of his high school years with undisguised disgust. Growing like a snowball, the conflict of a calm, quiet boy with the impudent, lively teenagers around him could end sadly for the first - he was in the minority. Music was the salvation for Michael Stipe.
From humble to rebel
The era of punk has begun. Teenagers instantly appreciated and fell in love with this genre - its sound corresponded so much to the inner storm of the emerging personality. Became interested in punk and Michael - a fifteen-year-old quiet man bought a Patti Smith record. After listening to the former, he was no longer.
Punk swallowed him up. Stipe bought records and listened to them avidly. At that time, he begins to try himself as a singer and re-sings his favorite hits. Michael's peers have changed their attitude towards him. He was the best at what they liked so much, and thus earned respect.
In Stipe, emancipation appeared - he gathered his group and even managed to perform at local parties several times. This was followed by another move to another city, where the musician met three future members of R. E. M.
During the years of the group's existence, Michael Stipe and his comrades have released more than a dozen studio records. Out of team singerparticipated in the recording of nine albums with various artists - from Nena Cherry to "Plasibo".
The main genres in which the musician works are:
- alternative;
- jangle pop;
- college rock.
Michael continues his creative activity to this day.
Orientation
For quite some time, only rumors circulated about Michael Stipe's personal life. There were always women around the star, many novels were attributed to him, but only a stormy relationship with actress Cameron Diaz was confirmed.
Journalists "tortured" the musician with questions about his orientation, but he did his best to avoid specific answers. In the end, Michael stated about his experience of relationships with representatives of both sexes. Some believed it, others did not. But for some time they fell behind Stipe.
In the spring of 2001, "thunder rumbled" - Michael came out. The musician frankly told Time magazine that for several years now his constant intimate partner has been, as Stipe himself put it, "an amazing and amazing guy who has nothing to do with the world of show business."
As it turned out later, Michael's lover's name is Thomas Dozol. Whether he is an ordinary guy is a moot point. Thomas works as a photographer and some of his models are very famous. Among them - in addition to Stipe himself - actress Gwyneth P altrow and others.
Whether Michael and Thomas agreed on the basis of passion for artistic photography, or they were united by another factor - it is not clear. It is only known that they live together surrounded by original masterpieces - their New York apartment is hung from floor to ceiling with photographs and various works of unusual, but at the same time fine art. The current photo of Michael Stipe can be seen above.
