Michael Stipe Talks Overcoming Shyness In R.E.M. DVD Extra

R.E.M. frontman Michael Stipe has always had a lot to say throughout his career, but often so through his characteristically soft-spoken delivery. Stipe admits that a large part of his persona stems from his shyness in a newly released DVD extra clip that accompanies the release of R.E.M. by MTV, a documentary about the group that chronicles the band's rise with footage from MTV, a network that came to prominence at around the same time. Check out the clip below, via Rolling Stone.

"I realized [that] part of who I am now is that I came from a place of being paralyzingly shy," Stipe said. "I've already subtitled this piece 'Watch Michael Learn How to Talk.'" He then praised his articulate bandmates for their public speaking abilities, saying he learned from them and from the experience of being in a popular band "how to actually put a sentence together."

R.E.M. by MTV will see a limited theatrical release in theaters across the country on May 19, and the screening will include an interview with the group conducted by Stephen Colbert and John Stewart, along with footage of some of the band's other appearances on TV, at award shows and on stage. Tickets and more information can be found on Fathom Events' website.