Bill Berry

William Thomas Berry (born July 31st 1958) was the drummer in alternative rock band R.E.M. for 17 years.

Berry was born in Duluth, Minnesota, but his family soon moved to Macon, Georgia. He met b

William Thomas Berry (born July 31st 1958) was the drummer in alternative rock band R.E.M. for 17 years.

Berry was born in Duluth, Minnesota, but his family soon moved to Macon, Georgia. He met bassist Mike Mills at high school in 1972, and they played together in several different bands. Berry and Mills moved to Athens, Georgia in 1978, where they met Michael Stipe and Peter Buck. R.E.M. was formed in 1980. In 1995, Bill Berry collapsed on stage while touring, due to a brain aneurysm. He left R.E.M. in October 1997, citing personal reasons. In 2000 he recorded for Tourette Syndrome Charity Album Welcome Companions.