Lynda L. Stipe (born September 30, 1962) is an American singer and bass guitarist. She is best recognized for her involvement in the bands Oh-OK, Hetch Hetchy and Flash to Bang Time. She is the younger sister of R.E.M.'s lead singer Michael Stipe.[2]

Lynda Stipe
Stipe playing bass guitar onstage
Stipe with oh-OK in 2011
Background information
Birth nameLynda L. Stipe
Born (1962-09-30) September 30, 1962 (age 61)[1]
Decatur, Georgia, United States
GenresPost-punk, jangle pop
Occupation(s)Musician
Instrument(s)Vocals, bass guitar
Years active1981–present
LabelsDB, Texas Hotel

Biography edit

In 1980, Lynda Stipe became involved in Athens' music scene when she was invited by her older brother Michael Stipe to serve as the opening act for one of his bands. Along with vocalist Linda Hopper and drummer David Pierce, the group performed several songs live at the 40 Watt Club.[3] The songs written for that performance would be recorded in the studio for Oh-OK's first single. The band produced one single and an album before parting ways in 1984.[2]

Stipe later formed Hetch Hetchy with boyfriend and fellow musician Jay Totty in 1988, with her serving as lead vocalist and bass guitarist. In 1988, they recorded the EP Make Djibouti with several friends. It was issued through Texas Hotel and was produced by Michael Stipe.[4] Afterward, Stipe and Totty opted to continue recording as a duo. Hetch Hetchy's debut album Swollen was released in 1990 and marked a musical departure from the band's previous recordings. Produced by Hahn Rowe and Tim Sommer of Hugo Largo, the music drew inspiration from gothic rock, dream pop and British folk music.[5][6] Stipe has noted that the album better represented her writing abilities and contained arrangements that were better realized. A new Hetch Hetchy record was in development but Stipe and Totty broke off their relationship, effectively ending the group in 1991.[2]

Discography edit

Oh-OK edit

Year Name
1982 Wow
1983 Furthermore What

Hetch Hetchy edit

Year Name
1988 Make Djibouti
1990 Swollen

Other appearances edit

Year Name Artist Details
1990 Little Vic Chesnutt voice
1994 Monster R.E.M. backing vocals ("Bang and Blame")

References edit

General

  • "Lynda Stipe > Credits". Allmusic. Retrieved September 13, 2014.
  • Lynda Stipe discography at Discogs

Notes

  1. ^ United States Public Record Number 398782863
  2. ^ a b c Gross, Jason. "Lynda Stipe: Oh OK". Perfect Sound Forever. Archived from the original on May 29, 2017. Retrieved September 13, 2014.
  3. ^ Kellman, Andy. "Oh-OK". Allmusic. Retrieved September 13, 2014.
  4. ^ Push (December 5, 1992). "Michael Stipe No Go Solo". Melody Maker. Retrieved September 13, 2014.
  5. ^ Ankeny, Jason. "Hetch Hetchy". Allmusic. Retrieved September 13, 2014.
  6. ^ Leland, John; 'Enthal, Andrea; Robbins, Ira (2007). "Hetch Hetchy". Trouser Press. Retrieved September 13, 2014.