John Michael Stipe (born January 4, 1960) is an American singer-songwriter and was the lead singer of alternative rock band R.E.M. until they amicably disbanded in 2011. Possessing a distinctive voice, Stipe has been noted for the "mumbling" style of his early career. Since the mid 80's, Stipe sings in "wailing, keening, arching vocal figures" that R.E.M. biographer David Buckley compared to Celtic folk artists and Muslim muezzin. He was in charge of R.E.M.'s visual aspect, often selecting album artwork and directing many of the band's music videos.