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Biography
Other peopleInfobox musical artist| name = Bill Berry| image = Billberry.jpg| caption = Berry performing with R.E.M. in 2008| image_size = 250| landscape = Yes| background = non_vocal_instrumentalist| birth_name = William Thomas Berry| birth_date = birth date and age|mf=yes|1958|7|31| birth_place = Duluth, Minnesota|Duluth , Minnesota , United States | genre = Alternative rock , college rock , jangle pop | occupation = Musician , songwriter , farmer | years_active = 1980–1997| instrument = Drum kit|Drums , percussion , vocal , piano , Steel-string acoustic guitar|acoustic and electric guitar|electric guitar , bass guitar , synthesizer | associated_acts = R.E.M. , Hindu Love Gods (band)|Hindu Love Gods William Thomas "Bill" Berry (born July 31, 1958 in Duluth, Minnesota ) is a retired American musician, multi-instrumentalist , best known as the drummer for the alternative rock band R.E.M. In addition to his drumming duties, Berry played many other instruments including guitar, bass guitar, and piano, both for songwriting and on R.E.M. records. After 17 years with the band, Berry retired to become a farmer, and has since maintained a low profile, making sporadic reunions with R.E.M. and appearing on other artists' records.
Early years
Berry was born in Duluth, the fifth child of Don and Anna. At three years old, Berry moved with his family to Wauwatosa, Wisconsin , a suburb of Milwaukee, Wisconsin|Milwaukee , where they would remain for the next seven years. In 1968, they were on the move again, this time to Sandusky, Ohio , on the banks of Lake Erie .
In 1972, the Berry family made their final move, to Macon, Georgia , literally just in time to start high school at Mount de Sales Academy (Georgia)|Mount de Sales Academy . It was there that he met bassist Mike Mills , and they played together in several different bands. Their first attempt at a career in music was short-lived. He and Mills decided to make money by getting day jobs. They rented an apartment on Arlington Street in Macon and Bill landed a job at the Paragon booking agency next door.
Berry and Mills moved to Athens, Georgia|Athens , Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia in 1978, where they met Michael Stipe and PeterBuck . Prior to dropping out, Berry studied pre-law at the University of Georgia .cite web|url= http://www.onlineathens.com/stories/070902/roc_20020707042.shtml |title=Rock Athens: Classic Profile: Athens attorney committed to living life with passion 07/09/02 |publisher=OnlineAthens |date= |accessdate=2011-10-02
R.E.M. years (1980–1997)
main|R.E.M.R.E.M. was formed in 1980. In addition to his duties as a drummer, Berry contributed occasional guitar, bass, mandolin, vocals, keyboards and piano on studio tracks. In concert, he sometimes performed on bass, and supplied regular backing vocals. Berry also made notable songwriting contributions, particularly for " Everybody Hurts " and " Man on the Moon (song)|Man on the Moon ", both from Automatic for the People . Other Berry songs included " PerfectCircle (song)|Perfect Circle ", " Driver8 ", " Cant Get There from Here " and "I Took Your Name". The song "Leave" from R.E.M.'s 1996 album New Adventures in Hi-Fi was also written by Berry, which was his last album with the band.
Berry was also responsible for toning down the lyrics of the song "Welcome to the Occupation". Stipe's original lyric was "Hang your freedom fighters" which, given the Reagan administration's active support for the contra "freedom fighters" in Nicaragua, sounded very violent and militant, although Stipe himself countered that the line could be taken multiple ways ("hang" as in either "lynch" or "frame on a wall"). Berry's objection ultimately led the line to be changed to "hang your freedom higher."
During 1984 Berry also was drummer for the impromptu Hindu Love Gods (band)|Hindu Love Gods , which featured his R.E.M. bandmates Mike Mills and PeterBuck and rocker Warren Zevon .
On-stage collapse and leaving R.E.M.
In 1995, at the Patinoire Auditorium in Lausanne , Switzerland, Berry collapsed on stage during an R.E.M. show from a ruptured Cerebral aneurysm|brain aneurysm . He recovered and rejoined the band, but left in October 1997, saying that he no longer had the drive or enjoyment level to be in the band, and that he wanted a career change. In an MTV interview, he explained:
I didn't wake up one day and decide, 'I just can't stand these guys anymore' or anything. I feel like I'm ready for a life change. I'm still young enough that I can do something else. I've been pounding the tubs since I was nine years old ... I'm ready to do something else. I'm at a point in my life where some of my priorities have shifted. I loved my seventeen years with R.E.M., but I’m ready to reflect, assess, and move on to a different phase of my life. The four of us will continue our close friendship, and I look forward to hearing their future efforts as the world’s biggest R.E.M. fan.Citation needed|date=March 2011
Acquiescing to Berry's wishes, R.E.M. announced that it would continue as a three-piece outfit. They continued to tour with several accompanying musicians, including long-time sidemen Ken Stringfellow and Scott McCaughey and employed Joey Waronker and Bill Rieflin as live drummers.
Retirement
Berry left the music business and became a farmer , working on his hay farm near Watkinsville, Georgia .
His musical activities after leaving R.E.M. have been sporadic, but did include recording for the Tourette Syndrome Charity Album Welcome Companions in 2000. He is also an avid golfer.cite web|url= http://www.jimdero.com/News2004/Oct24REMfeature.htm |title=R.E.M. comes 'Around' full circle |publisher=Jimdero.com |date=2004-10-24 |accessdate=2011-10-02
Berry has had several brief reunions with his former bandmates, including one song on October 10, 2003, concert in Raleigh, North Carolina , several songs at the October 2005 wedding of band roadie DeWitt Burton, and performances in September 2006 at the band's induction into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame (as well as an appearance at an R.E.M. tribute night at the 40 Watt Club in Athens a few days before the induction) and in March 2007 at the induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame . He also played drums and sang on R.E.M.'s cover of " Number 9 Dream|#9 Dream ", a JohnLennon cover recorded to benefit Darfur . Nonetheless, PeterBuck and Michael Stipe said that Berry remained firm on his decision to retire from the group.Citation needed|date=March 2011 Prior to the group's induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame , Berry granted his first interview in several years, discussing life after retirement. "It's a great chance to get back together and perform with R.E.M., which I always loved doing," he said. "This opportunity also does not require me to climb onto (a) bus or plane to do it again and again for several consecutive months."
Personal life
Berry married his girlfriend of two years, Mari, on March 22, 1986. They divorced eleven years later. They had no children.
In 2003 Berry and his girlfriend had a son, Owen.cite web|url= http://www.onlineathens.com/rem-hall/stories/berry.shtml |title=R.E.M.: The Hall: Frenzy of fame contributes to former drummer's shyness |publisher=Onlineathens.com |date= |accessdate=2011-10-02
Discography
With R.E.M.
see|R.E.M. discography
Without members of R.E.M.
Artist
Release
Year
Role
Notes
13111
My Bible Is the Latest TV Guide/ Things I'd Like to Say
1989
Solo project
Solo single released by Jefferson Holt 's Dog Gone Records in 1989. The a-side is a Berry original credited to "Stashus Mute"; the b-side is a cover of the New ColonySix song from the 1968 album Revelations (New ColonySix album)>Revelations . "13111" is a translation of "Bill" into numerals.
Bill Berry
n/ a
December 17, 1997
Drums
Berry drums with friends at a charity event for Tourette's Syndrome at the Morton Theater. After the show, he auctions off his drum set.
Bill Berry
Riviera Nap
2000
Co-writing, drums
Berry and fellow Athenian Davis Causey contributed this song to the Tourette's Syndrome benefit compilation Welcome Companions in the summer of 2000. He also drummed on three tracks by Sherry Joyce .
Rick Fowler
Back on My Good Foot
2008
Drums
The two previously collaborated on the Tourette Syndrome Charity album.
Bill joined the Tractor for five months and played with them at the same time as R.E.M. He ultimately chose the latter because they were willing to quit school to play music.
Love Tractor
Love Tractor (album)>Love Tractor
1982
Writing
When the Tractor's self-titled debut album was released, it included the Berry composition Motorcade. The album was re-released two years later as ' Til the Cows Come Home.
Berry produced demos of this New Jersey band, including the songs Day She Went Away, Love It Automatic, Not So Mopso, Ring in the Sand, and So Long Edgewood.
Bill sat in with this band for a benefit playing Ride Me High, Drums, Time Is Free, and Climb to Safety. Mike Mills joined the band the following night.
WUOGerz
n/ a
1979
Drums
A band made up of fellow University of Georgia students who were mainly from the campus radio station WUOG.
This ad hoc band formed with local pianist and singer Bryan Cook of Time Toy on a break from R.E.M. Their first gig was at the 40 Watt Club. Set: Bangkok; With a Girl Like You; I'm Through with You; Walk, Don't Run; Personality Crisis; Narrator; Pipeline; Needles and Pins; California Sun; Government Center; Hippy Hippy Shake ; (I'm Not Your) Steppin' Stone ; Permanent Vacation; Jump; Color Me Impressed
Love Tractor.) This time the line-up was augmented by Michael Stipe and singer Warren Zevon. Michael played drums on Rebel Rebel and sang from Little America on. Bryan Cook only sang on Gonna Have a Good Time Tonight. Set: Up on the Cross; Boom Boom Mancini; TroubleWaiting to Happen; Werewolves of London ; Gonna Have a Good Time Tonight; Little America; Second Guessing; Gloria (Them song)>Gloria ; Rebel Rebel ; Wild Thing (Chip Taylor song)
Performance at the Bourbon Street Club. Set: Color Me Impressed; White Light, White Heat; There She Goes Again ; Government Center; Broken Whisky Glass; Little Willie; Authority Song; Personality Crisis; Hang on Sloopy; Gonna Have a Good Time Tonight
John Keane (record producer)>John Keane Studio in 1984 to record this single. The a-side is an Easybeats cover, the b-side is a Bill Berry original that pre-dates R.E.M. IRS released the material two years later with a cover painted by Bill.
Minutemen (band)>Minutemen guitarist D. Boon . R.E.M. performed a set and were joined in their first encore by Cook; Stipe sat out Gonna Have a Good Time Tonight. Set: Strange; Gonna Have a Good Time Tonight; Pills
several blues covers and a Prince cover. The material was released as an album by Warren's label, Giant, in 1990. Tracks: Walking Blues; TravelingRiverside Blues ; Raspberry Beret ; Crosscut Saw (song)>Crosscut Saw ; Junko Partner; MannishBoy ; Wang Dang Doodle; Battleship Chains; I'm a One Woman Man; Vigilante Man.
Single from the self-titled album. Some versions do not have the last track.
Indigo Girls
Indigo Girls
1990
Drums, guitar, bass
On the track Tried to Be True. Michael sings on Kid Fears.
Southern Gentlemen
n/ a
May 11, 1988 - Athens, United States
Drums, guitar, bass
The instrumentalists from R.E.M. joined Roger McGuinn of The Byrds in the middle of his set at the Uptown Lounge. Set: " You Ain't Goin' Nowhere "; " Mr. Spaceman "; " The Bells of Rhymney "; " Mr. Tambourine Man "; " Turn& #33; Turn& #33; Turn! "; " EightMiles High "; " Knockin' on Heaven's Door "; " I'll Feel a Whole Lot Better ". McGuinn has guested at several R.E.M. shows as well.
The guys, along with Peter Holsapple , act as a backing band to Reg Presley on this album and co-wrote the track Nowhere Road. Recorded at John Keane Studio in August and September, 1991. Tracks: Crazy Annie; Together; Tuned into Love; Déjà Vu; Nowhere Road; Dust Bowl; I'm in Control; Don't You Know; What's Your Game; Suspicious; Hot Stuff. R.E.M. briefly considered recording an EP named "The Godlike Genius of the Troggs as Presented by R.E.M.".
as a comeback album for Zevon and featured several guest stars in addition to R.E.M., such as fellow Duluth native Bob Dylan , Flea (musician)>Flea from Red Hot Chili Peppers , and Neil Young . The entire band performs on the song Bad Karma, with Michael singing backup and playing shears as a musical instrument. All three members perform on Boom Boom Mancini ; Detox Mansion; Bad Karma; and Even a Dog Can Shake Hands; the latter of which they co-wrote. Peter and Bill play on Sentimental Hygiene and The Heartache.
Warren Zevon
Sentimental Hygiene/ The Factory/ Leave My Monkey Alone
August 1987
Drums, guitar, bass
Single from the album. Some versions do not have the last track.
Warren Zevon
Bad Karma/ Boom Boom Mancini/ Leave My Monkey Alone
November 1987
Drums, guitar, bass
Single from the album. Some versions do not have the last track.
Warren Zevon
Reconsider Me/ The Factory/ Bad Karma
February 1988
Drums, guitar, bass
Single from the album. Some versions do not have the last track.
Warren Zevon
Splendid Isolation/ Even a Dog Can Shake Hands/ Bad Karma/ Gridlock
1989
Drums, guitar, bass, co-writing
Single from the album. Some versions do not have the last two tracks.
Performances of the three-piece R.E.M. reunited with their original drummer.
Release
Date
Notes
n/ a
October 10, 2003 - Raleigh, United States
Chastain Park Amphitheatre in AtlantaBuckley, David. R.E.M.>Fiction: An Alternative History, Virgin Books, 2002 ISBN 1-85227-927-3. PeterBuck :
"As much asI wanted to see him, it puts real pressure on him if I ask him to come and do something. We invited him to the show, and considered asking him to play, but Mike said "No, he would stress about that for three months beforehand and then he probably wouldn't show up." So, we invited him to the show, and he stood at the side of the stage. Then people in the audience saw him and shouted "Hey Bill," and Bill waved and after the song Find the River was finished he walked out on the stage, hugged Mike, Michael, and me, then walked over to Joey, and shook his hand.. and the whole audience was going insane of course.. then he waved to the crowd and walked off stage. I think he got in his car and drove home, because I didn't' see him after the show." Michael dedicated the following song, At My Most Beautiful , to him. Bill walked onstage at the Alltel Pavilion at Walnut Creek in Raleigh, North Carolina to sing on Radio Free Europe (song)
n/ a
August 10, 2005 - Athens, United States
Go Back To) Rockville ; Wolves, Lower; Begin the Begin ; The OneILove (R.E.M. song)>The OneILove ; Permanent Vacation; Radio Free Europe; with a short instrumental interlude between the last two numbers.
n/ a
March 1, 2006 - Athens, United States
At a Minus5 show in the Georgia Theatre, Bill, Mike, and Michael joined Peter, Scott McCaughey , and Bill Rieflin for an impromptu performance of Country Feedback . Bill played bass, with Mike on keyboards.
The band reforms to play at the "Finest Worksongs: Athens Bands Play the Music of R.E.M." tribute at the 40 Watt, playing Begin the Begin and So. Central Rain (I'm Sorry) . Proceeds went to the Community Connection and Family Connection/ Communities in Schools charities.
n/ a
September 9, 2006 - Atlanta, Georgia
Music Hall of Fame at the Georgia World Congress Center. They perform Begin the Begin, Losing My Religion , and Man on the Moon (song)>Man on the Moon . Bill, Peter, Mike, and Scott McCaughey also accompany Gregg Allman on a performance of Midnight Rider to round out the show.
n/ a
March 12, 2007 - New York City, United States
Fame Induction Ceremony at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel , the band plays Begin the Begin , Gardening at Night , Man on the Moon (song)>Man on the Moon (with Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam ), and I Wanna Be Your Dog (with Patti Smith and Lenny Kaye ).
9 Dream>#9 Dream
March 17, 2007
While preparing for their performance at the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony, the original four members of R.E.M. recorded this JohnLennon song in John Keane Studio, with production by Jacknife Lee . The song was released as a single on March 17, 2007 and was the first track to be released from the benefit compilation Instant Karma: The Amnesty International Campaign to Save Darfur , released on June 12, 2007.
See also
:Category:Albums produced by Bill Berry|Albums produced by Bill Berry
:Category:Songs written by Bill Berry|Songs written by Bill Berry
References
Source for discography: Marcus Gray - It Crawled from the South ISBN 0-306-80751-3
reflist
External links
http://www.thei.aust.com/music2/nov4rem.html iZine's interview with Berry from 1994
R.E.M. Persondata|NAME=Berry, Bill |ALTERNATIVE NAMES= |SHORT DESCRIPTION=American musician |DATE OF BIRTH=July 31, 1958 |PLACE OF BIRTH= |DATE OF DEATH= |PLACE OF DEATH=
DEFAULTSORT:Berry, Bill Category:1958 births Category:Living people Category:American farmers Category:American musicians of European descent Category:American rock drummers Category:American rock songwriters Category:American record producers Category:People from Athens, Georgia Category:People from Duluth, Minnesota Category:People from Oconee County, Georgia Category:R.E.M. members Category:Songwriters from Minnesota Category:University of Georgia people Category:American alternative rock musicians Category:Alternative rock drummers
