Conversation so far:
Whose idea was it to form R.E.M.?
The quartet agreed to collaborate on several songs; Stipe later commented that "there was never any grand plan behind any of it".
Who were the original members?
Stipe and Buck then met fellow University of Georgia students Mike Mills and Bill Berry.
Did they add anyone else?
They found a manager in Jefferson Holt.

Question: What was their first album?
Self-contained rewrite: What was R.E.M.'s first album?