This article is from the R.E.M. FAQ, by Ron Henry (rgh3@cornell.edu) with numerous contributions by others.
Actually, the outfits Mike was wearing are known as "Nudie" suits, after
the late tailor Nudie who designed many such outfits for country stars of
the 1960's/70's. Nudie suits became hip with the rock crowd through their
being worn by the band that's been credited with initiating the music
called country-rock, the Flying Burrito Brothers (including the legendary
Gram Parsons.) It's been mentioned in an interview with the band that the
one Mike wears in the "Kenneth" video was in fact once owned by Parsons.
 
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