In this episode of History for Cocktail Parties, co-hosts James M. Ottley and Thornton Kennedy delve into the early life of Peter Buck, the guitarist of R.E.M., exploring the serendipitous events that led to the formation of the iconic band. The discussion begins with Buck's childhood in various locations due to his father's job, highlighting how his experiences shaped his musical influences. The emphasize the importance of Buck's journey, including his early exposure to music through a local record store and his eventual move to Athens, Georgia, where he would meet the other members of R.E.M. The narrative captures the essence of how Buck's life experiences intertwined with the band's formation, setting the stage for their first performance under the name Twisted Kites.