Mills was born in Orange County, California.
He grew up in Macon, Georgia.
He went to college at the University of Georgia in Athens, Georgia.
While living in Athens, he met the other musicians who later became R.E.M.
Mills is the main composer of many of R.E.M.'s songs, including "Nightswimming", "(Don't Go Back To) Rockville", and "What's the Frequency, Kenneth?".

He has also played on recordings by the Indigo Girls, Warren Zevon, the Smashing Pumpkins, Jason Ringenberg and The Troggs.

Mills is a member, along with songwriters Steve Wynn, Scott McCaughey, Peter Buck, and Linda Pitmon, of The Baseball Project.

In 2007, Mills was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, along with the other members of R.E.M.
Mills was born in Orange County, California. He grew up in Macon, Georgia. He went to college at the University of Georgia in Athens, Georgia. While living in Athens, he met the other musicians who later became R.E.M.
Mills is the main composer of many of R.E.M.'s songs, including "Nightswimming", "(Don't Go Back To) Rockville", and "What's the Frequency, Kenneth?".
He has also played on recordings by the Indigo Girls, Warren Zevon, the Smashing Pumpkins, Jason Ringenberg and The Troggs.
Mills is a member, along with songwriters Steve Wynn, Scott McCaughey, Peter Buck, and Linda Pitmon, of The Baseball Project.
In 2007, Mills was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, along with the other members of R.E.M.
Mike Mills