Bill Berry
Encyclopedia
William "Bill" Thomas 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.
, a suburb of 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
. 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
in 1978, where they met Michael Stipe
and Peter Buck
. Prior to dropping out, Berry studied pre-law at the University of Georgia
.
" and "Man on the Moon
", both from Automatic for the People
. Other Berry songs included "Perfect Circle
", "Driver 8
", "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
, which featured his R.E.M. bandmates Mike Mills and Peter Buck and rocker Warren Zevon
.
, Switzerland, Berry collapsed on stage during an R.E.M. show from a ruptured 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:
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.
, 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.
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 "#9 Dream
", a John Lennon
cover recorded to benefit Darfur
. Nonetheless, Peter Buck and Michael Stipe said that Berry remained firm on his decision to retire from the group.
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."
In 2003 Berry and his girlfriend had a son, Owen.
Duluth, Minnesota
Duluth is a port city in the U.S. state of Minnesota and is the county seat of Saint Louis County. The fourth largest city in Minnesota, Duluth had a total population of 86,265 in the 2010 census. Duluth is also the second largest city that is located on Lake Superior after Thunder Bay, Ontario,...
) is a retired American musician, multi-instrumentalist
Multi-instrumentalist
A multi-instrumentalist is a musician who plays a number of different instruments.The Bachelor of Music degree usually requires a second instrument to be learned , but people who double on another instrument are not usually seen as multi-instrumentalists.-Classical music:Music written for Symphony...
, best known as the drummer
Drummer
A drummer is a musician who is capable of playing drums, which includes but is not limited to a drum kit and accessory based hardware which includes an assortment of pedals and standing support mechanisms, marching percussion and/or any musical instrument that is struck within the context of a...
for the alternative rock
Alternative rock
Alternative rock is a genre of rock music and a term used to describe a diverse musical movement that emerged from the independent music underground of the 1980s and became widely popular by the 1990s...
band R.E.M.
R.E.M.
R.E.M. was an American rock band formed in Athens, Georgia, in 1980 by singer Michael Stipe, guitarist Peter Buck, bassist Mike Mills and drummer Bill Berry. One of the first popular alternative rock bands, R.E.M. gained early attention due to Buck's ringing, arpeggiated guitar style and Stipe's...
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, WisconsinWauwatosa, Wisconsin
Wauwatosa is a city in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, United States, and was incorporated on May 27, 1897. As of the 2006 census estimate, the city's population was 44,798. Wauwatosa is located immediately west of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and is a part of the Milwaukee metropolitan area...
, a suburb of Milwaukee
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Milwaukee is the largest city in the U.S. state of Wisconsin, the 28th most populous city in the United States and 39th most populous region in the United States. It is the county seat of Milwaukee County and is located on the southwestern shore of Lake Michigan. According to 2010 census data, the...
, where they would remain for the next seven years. In 1968, they were on the move again, this time to Sandusky, Ohio
Sandusky, Ohio
Sandusky is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Erie County. It is located in northern Ohio and is situated on the shores of Lake Erie, almost exactly half-way between Toledo to the west and Cleveland to the east....
, on the banks of Lake Erie
Lake Erie
Lake Erie is the fourth largest lake of the five Great Lakes in North America, and the tenth largest globally. It is the southernmost, shallowest, and smallest by volume of the Great Lakes and therefore also has the shortest average water residence time. It is bounded on the north by the...
.
In 1972, the Berry family made their final move, to Macon, Georgia
Macon, Georgia
Macon is a city located in central Georgia, US. Founded at the fall line of the Ocmulgee River, it is part of the Macon metropolitan area, and the county seat of Bibb County. A small portion of the city extends into Jones County. Macon is the biggest city in central Georgia...
, literally just in time to start high school at Mount de Sales Academy
Mount de Sales Academy
Mount de Sales Academy can refer to one of two unaffiliated schools:* Mount de Sales Academy , a Catholic preparatory school in Georgia* Mount de Sales Academy , a girls boarding school in Maryland...
. It was there that he met bassist Mike Mills
Mike Mills
Michael Edward "Mike" Mills is an American multi-instrumentalist and composer who was a founding member of the alternative rock group R.E.M.. Though known primarily as a bass guitarist, backing vocalist, and pianist, his musical repertoire includes also keyboards, guitar, and percussion instruments...
, 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
Athens, Georgia
Athens-Clarke County is a consolidated city–county in U.S. state of Georgia, in the northeastern part of the state, comprising the former City of Athens proper and Clarke County. The University of Georgia is located in this college town and is responsible for the initial growth of the city...
, Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
in 1978, where they met Michael Stipe
Michael Stipe
John Michael Stipe is an American singer and lyricist. He was the lead vocalist of the alternative rock band R.E.M.Stipe is noted and occasionally parodied for the "mumbling" style of his early career as well as his social and political activism. He was in charge of R.E.M.'s visual image; often...
and Peter Buck
Peter Buck
Peter Lawrence Buck , is an American rock guitarist who is best known for playing in and co-founding alternative rock band R.E.M....
. Prior to dropping out, Berry studied pre-law at the University of Georgia
University of Georgia
The University of Georgia is a public research university located in Athens, Georgia, United States. Founded in 1785, it is the oldest and largest of the state's institutions of higher learning and is one of multiple schools to claim the title of the oldest public university in the United States...
.
R.E.M. years (1980–1997)
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 HurtsEverybody Hurts
"Everybody Hurts" is a song by R.E.M., originally released on the band's 1992 album Automatic for the People and was also released as a single in 1993. It peaked at #29 on the Billboard Hot 100, #7 on the UK Singles Chart and #3 on the French Singles Chart.-History:Much of the song was written by...
" and "Man on the Moon
Man on the Moon (song)
"Man on the Moon" is a song by the American alternative rock band R.E.M., released as the second single from its 1992 album Automatic for the People. The song makes numerous references to the performer Andy Kaufman, including his Elvis impersonation and work with wrestlers Fred Blassie and Jerry...
", both from Automatic for the People
Automatic for the People
Automatic for the People is the eighth album by the American alternative rock band R.E.M., released in 1992 on Warner Bros. Records. While R.E.M...
. Other Berry songs included "Perfect Circle
Perfect Circle (song)
"Perfect Circle" is an R.E.M. song and is the 6th track from their 1983 debut album Murmur. R.E.M. fans hold this song in high regard and is widely considered a fan favorite. It is one of the few R.E.M...
", "Driver 8
Driver 8
"Driver 8" was the second single from R.E.M.'s third album, Fables of the Reconstruction. Released in September 1985, the song peaked at #22 on the U.S. Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart...
", "Cant Get There from Here
Cant Get There From Here
"Cant Get There from Here", or "Can't Get There from Here", was the first single released by R.E.M. from its third studio album Fables of the Reconstruction in 1985. The song peaked at #10 on the Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles, equaling to a position of #110 on the main Billboard Hot 100...
" and "I Took Your Name". The song "Leave" from R.E.M.'s 1996 album New Adventures in Hi-Fi
New Adventures in Hi-Fi
New Adventures in Hi-Fi is the tenth studio album by the American alternative rock band R.E.M. It was their fifth major label release for Warner Bros. Records, released on September 9, 1996, in Europe and Australia and the following day in the United States...
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
Hindu Love Gods (band)
Hindu Love Gods was an American pop/rock and blues band that was, in essence, an occasional side project of members of R.E.M., with Warren Zevon and Bryan Cook.-History:...
, which featured his R.E.M. bandmates Mike Mills and Peter Buck and rocker Warren Zevon
Warren Zevon
Warren William Zevon was an American rock singer-songwriter and musician noted for including his sometimes sardonic opinions of life in his musical lyrics, composing songs that were sometimes humorous and often had political or historical themes.Zevon's work has often been praised by well-known...
.
On-stage collapse and leaving R.E.M.
In 1995, at the Patinoire Auditorium in LausanneLausanne
Lausanne is a city in Romandy, the French-speaking part of Switzerland, and is the capital of the canton of Vaud. The seat of the district of Lausanne, the city is situated on the shores of Lake Geneva . It faces the French town of Évian-les-Bains, with the Jura mountains to its north-west...
, Switzerland, Berry collapsed on stage during an R.E.M. show from a ruptured brain aneurysm
Cerebral aneurysm
A cerebral or brain aneurysm is a cerebrovascular disorder in which weakness in the wall of a cerebral artery or vein causes a localized dilation or ballooning of the blood vessel.- Signs and symptoms :...
. 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
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
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.
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
Ken Stringfellow
Kenneth Stuart Stringfellow is an American musician, best known for his work with The Posies, R.E.M., and the re-formed Big Star.-Musical career:...
and Scott McCaughey
Scott McCaughey
As a singer and songwriter, Scott McCaughey is the leader of the Seattle and Portland-based bands The Young Fresh Fellows and The Minus 5.He is also bassist for Robyn Hitchcock's most recent touring band, The Venus 3, along with Bill Rieflin and Peter Buck....
and employed Joey Waronker
Joey Waronker
Joseph "Joey" Waronker is an American drummer and music producer. He is the son of record producer Lenny Waronker and singer/actress Donna Loren; his younger sister is musician Anna Waronker; and his grandfather is record executive and professional violinist Simon Waronker. He has three other...
and Bill Rieflin as live drummers.
Retirement
Berry left the music business and became a farmerFarmer
A farmer is a person engaged in agriculture, who raises living organisms for food or raw materials, generally including livestock husbandry and growing crops, such as produce and grain...
, working on his hay
Hay
Hay is grass, legumes or other herbaceous plants that have been cut, dried, and stored for use as animal fodder, particularly for grazing livestock such as cattle, horses, goats, and sheep. Hay is also fed to pets such as rabbits and guinea pigs...
farm near Watkinsville, Georgia
Watkinsville, Georgia
Watkinsville is a town in Oconee County, Georgia, United States. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 2,097. The city is the county seat of Oconee County...
.
His musical activities after leaving R.E.M. have been sporadic, but did include recording for the Tourette Syndrome
Tourette syndrome
Tourette syndrome is an inherited neuropsychiatric disorder with onset in childhood, characterized by multiple physical tics and at least one vocal tic; these tics characteristically wax and wane...
Charity Album Welcome Companions in 2000. He is also an avid golfer.
Berry has had several brief reunions with his former bandmates, including one song on October 10, 2003, concert in Raleigh, North Carolina
Raleigh, North Carolina
Raleigh is the capital and the second largest city in the state of North Carolina as well as the seat of Wake County. Raleigh is known as the "City of Oaks" for its many oak trees. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city's 2010 population was 403,892, over an area of , making Raleigh...
, 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
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum is a museum located on the shore of Lake Erie in downtown Cleveland, Ohio, United States. It is dedicated to archiving the history of some of the best-known and most influential artists, producers, engineers and others who have, in some major way,...
. He also played drums and sang on R.E.M.'s cover of "#9 Dream
Number 9 Dream
"#9 Dream" is a song written by John Lennon and first issued on his 1974 album Walls and Bridges. It was released as the second single from that album months later, on Apple Records catalogue Apple 1878 in the United States and Apple R6003 in the United Kingdom...
", a John Lennon
John Lennon
John Winston Lennon, MBE was an English musician and singer-songwriter who rose to worldwide fame as one of the founding members of The Beatles, one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music...
cover recorded to benefit Darfur
Darfur
Darfur is a region in western Sudan. An independent sultanate for several hundred years, it was incorporated into Sudan by Anglo-Egyptian forces in 1916. The region is divided into three federal states: West Darfur, South Darfur, and North Darfur...
. Nonetheless, Peter Buck and Michael Stipe said that Berry remained firm on his decision to retire from the group.
Prior to the group's induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum is a museum located on the shore of Lake Erie in downtown Cleveland, Ohio, United States. It is dedicated to archiving the history of some of the best-known and most influential artists, producers, engineers and others who have, in some major way,...
, 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.
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 Jefferson Holt Jefferson Holt is the founder of and former manager of rock band R.E.M., often referred to as the band's "fifth member," from 1981-1996.In 1996, Holt and R.E.M. parted ways. When asked about leaving the band he offered this statement to Chuck Philips, L.A.Times Staff Writer:"I've agreed to keep... '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 Colony Six New Colony Six The New Colony Six is an American rock band whose height of popularity was from the mid 1960s to the early 1970s. From Chicago, the group placed ten singles on the Billboard Hot 100 between 1966 and 1971. Original members were Ray Graffia , Chick James , Pat McBride , Craig Kemp , Wally Kemp ,... song from the 1968 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 Rick Fowler Rick Fowler is an American blues-rock guitarist originally from the small town of Bowdon, Georgia.-Career:Fowler learned to play guitar primarily by listening to early British blues and rock guitarists and American blues players.... |
Back on My Good Foot | 2008 | Drums | The two previously collaborated on the Tourette Syndrome Charity album. |
| Love Tractor Love Tractor Love Tractor was a band from Athens, Georgia and like The B-52's, Pylon and R.E.M., was recognized as a founder of the Athens, Georgia alternative rock scene... |
n/a | 1980 | Drums | 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 | 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. |
| Love Tractor | The Sky at Night | 2001 | Percussion | Bill rejoined the line-up as a percussionist during their 2001 reunion album, playing on Bright. |
| Michelle Malone Michelle Malone Michelle Malone is an American rock and blues singer-songwriter and guitarist.-Biography:Malone was born and raised in Atlanta by her mother and grandmother, both professional singers... |
New Experience | 1988 | Drums | Plays on Into the Night. |
| Rana | n/a | July 2001 | Production | 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. |
| Widespread Panic Widespread Panic Widespread Panic is an American rock band from Athens, Georgia. The current lineup includes guitarist/singer John Bell, bassist Dave Schools, drummer Todd Nance, percussionist Domingo "Sunny" Ortiz, keyboardist John "JoJo" Hermann, and guitarist Jimmy Herring... |
n/a | March 1, 2000 - Athens, United States | Drums | 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 | 1980 | Drums | A band made up of fellow University of Georgia University of Georgia The University of Georgia is a public research university located in Athens, Georgia, United States. Founded in 1785, it is the oldest and largest of the state's institutions of higher learning and is one of multiple schools to claim the title of the oldest public university in the United States... students, named after the campus radio station WUOG. |
With Peter Buck and Mike Mills
| Artist | Release | Year | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| [Frat party band] | n/a | ? | Drums, guitar, bass | Backing up a stripper for an hour at a frat party when the tape deck broke. |
| Hindu Love Gods Hindu Love Gods (band) Hindu Love Gods was an American pop/rock and blues band that was, in essence, an occasional side project of members of R.E.M., with Warren Zevon and Bryan Cook.-History:... |
n/a | February 14, 1984 - Athens, United States | Drums, guitar, bass | 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 Hippy Hippy Shake Hippy Hippy Shake is a song written and recorded by Chan Romero in 1959. That same year, the song reached number three in Australia.A cover version by Italian rocker Little Tony appeared in the same year and found moderate success in the United Kingdom and Italy.A version by UK-based band The... ; (I'm Not Your) Steppin' Stone (I'm Not Your) Steppin' Stone " Steppin' Stone" is a rock song by Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart. It was first recorded by Paul Revere & the Raiders and appeared on their 1966 album Midnight Ride.... ; Permanent Vacation; Jump; Color Me Impressed |
| Hindu Love Gods | n/a | February 29, 1984 - Athens, United States | Drums, guitar, bass | Another performance at the 40 Watt, with opening act Wheel O'Cheese (a pseudonym for 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; Trouble Waiting to Happen; Werewolves of London Werewolves of London "Werewolves of London" is a rock song composed by LeRoy Marinell, Waddy Wachtel, and Warren Zevon and performed by Zevon. Included on Zevon's 1978 album Excitable Boy, it featured accompaniment by bassist John McVie and drummer Mick Fleetwood of Fleetwood Mac.The single was released by Asylum as... ; Gonna Have a Good Time Tonight; Little America; Second Guessing; Gloria; Rebel Rebel Rebel Rebel "Rebel Rebel" is a song by David Bowie, released in 1974 as a single and on the album Diamond Dogs. Cited as his most-covered track, it was effectively Bowie's farewell to the glam movement that had made him a star.-Music and lyrics:... ; Wild Thing |
| Hindu Love Gods | n/a | June 1, 1984 - Athens, United States | Drums, guitar, bass | Performance at the Bourbon Street Club. Set: Color Me Impressed; White Light, White Heat; There She Goes Again There She Goes Again "There She Goes Again" is a song by The Velvet Underground. It first appeared on their 1967 debut album The Velvet Underground & Nico. The syncopated guitar riff is taken from the 1962 Marvin Gaye song, "Hitch Hike", but is most likely influenced by The Rolling Stones' cover version, from their... ; Government Center; Broken Whisky Glass; Little Willie; Authority Song; Personality Crisis; Hang on Sloopy; Gonna Have a Good Time Tonight |
| Hindu Love Gods | Gonna Have a Good Time Tonight/Narrator | 1986 | Drums, guitar, bass | The Hindus went to John Keane John Keane (record producer) John Keane is an American record producer based in Athens, Georgia, who has worked extensively with R.E.M., Indigo Girls and Widespread Panic. He owns and operates John Keane Studios in Athens, which opened in 1981.... 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. |
| Hindu Love Gods | n/a | January 20, 1986 - Athens, United States | Drums, guitar, bass | The band reformed for a benefit concert at the 40 Watt for recently-deceased Minutemen Minutemen (band) Minutemen were an American hardcore punk band formed in San Pedro, California in 1980. Composed of guitarist D. Boon, bassist Mike Watt and drummer George Hurley, Minutemen recorded four albums and eight EPs before Boon's death in an automobile accident in December 1985... guitarist D. Boon D. Boon d. Boon born Dennes Dale Boon, was an American singer, songwriter and guitarist. Active between 1978, when he joined The Reactionaries, and 1985, when he was killed in a van accident, Boon was best known as the guitarist and vocalist of the Californian punk rock trio Minutemen.-Youth:Dennes 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 |
| Hindu Love Gods | Hindu Love Gods Hindu Love Gods (album) Hindu Love Gods is the only album by American band Hindu Love Gods, released in 1990. The album was recorded around the same time as Warren Zevon's album Sentimental Hygiene, for which Zevon had enlisted Bill Berry, Peter Buck, and Mike Mills of R.E.M. as players. The musicians also recorded this... |
1990 | Drums, guitar, bass | While recording the sessions for Warren Zevon's Sentimental Hygiene Sentimental Hygiene Sentimental Hygiene is an album by rock singer/songwriter Warren Zevon, released in 1987. The release of Sentimental Hygiene marked the first studio album for Zevon in five years... album, the guys also cut several blues covers and a Prince cover. The material was released as an album by Warren's label, Giant, in 1990. Tracks: Walking Blues; Traveling Riverside Blues Traveling Riverside Blues "Travelling Riverside Blues," sometimes called "Mudbone" or "Mud Bone," is a blues song written and recorded in Dallas, Texas by the bluesman Robert Johnson... ; Raspberry Beret Raspberry Beret "Raspberry Beret" is a song by Prince and The Revolution. It was the first U.S. single from their 1985 album, Around the World in a Day. The sound was different from any previous Prince track, incorporating Middle Eastern finger cymbals, stringed instruments, and even a harmonica on the extended... ; Crosscut Saw Crosscut Saw (song) "Crosscut Saw", or "Cross Cut Saw Blues" as it was first called, is a bawdy blues song "that must have belonged to the general repertoire of the Delta blues". The song was first released in 1941 by Mississippi bluesman Tommy McClennan and has since been interpreted by many blues artists... ; Junko Partner; Mannish Boy Mannish Boy "Mannish Boy" is a blues standard first recorded by Muddy Waters in 1955. It is an arrangement of Bo Diddley's "I'm a Man"... ; Wang Dang Doodle; Battleship Chains; I'm a One Woman Man; Vigilante Man. |
| Hindu Love Gods | Raspberry Beret/Wang Dang Doodle/Mannish Boy | 1990 | Drums, guitar, bass | Single from the self-titled album. Some versions do not have the last track. |
| Indigo Girls Indigo Girls The Indigo Girls are an American folk rock music duo, consisting of Amy Ray and Emily Saliers. They met in elementary school and began performing together as high school students in Decatur, Georgia, part of the Atlanta metropolitan area... |
Indigo Girls Indigo Girls (album) Indigo Girls is the second studio album by Indigo Girls. It was released in 1989 on Epic Records.The album received excellent critical reviews, and went gold after six months and eventually went platinum. The duo was nominated for a Best New Artist Grammy , and won one for Best Contemporary Folk... |
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 Roger McGuinn James Roger McGuinn is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist. He is best known for being the lead singer and lead guitarist on many of The Byrds' records... of The Byrds The Byrds The Byrds were an American rock band, formed in Los Angeles, California in 1964. The band underwent multiple line-up changes throughout its existence, with frontman Roger McGuinn remaining the sole consistent member until the group disbanded in 1973... in the middle of his set at the Uptown Lounge. Set: "You Ain't Goin' Nowhere You Ain't Goin' Nowhere "You Ain't Goin' Nowhere" is a song written by Bob Dylan in 1967 in Woodstock, New York, during the self-imposed exile from public appearances that followed his July 29, 1966 motorcycle accident. A recording of Dylan performing the song was first officially released on the Bob Dylan's Greatest... "; "Mr. Spaceman Mr. Spaceman "Mr. Spaceman" is a song by the American rock band The Byrds and was the third track on their 1966 album Fifth Dimension. The song was initially written by band member Jim McGuinn as a "melodramatic screenplay" but it soon evolved into a whimsical meditation on the existence of extraterrestrial... "; "The Bells of Rhymney The Bells of Rhymney "The Bells of Rhymney" is a song first recorded by folk singer Pete Seeger, using words written by Welsh poet Idris Davies. The lyrics to the song were drawn from part of Davies' poetic work Gwalia Deserta, which was first published in 1938... "; "Mr. Tambourine Man Mr. Tambourine Man "Mr. Tambourine Man" is a song written and performed by Bob Dylan, which was released on his 1965 album Bringing It All Back Home. The Byrds also recorded a version of the song that was released as their first single on Columbia Records, reaching number 1 on both the Billboard Hot 100 chart and... "; "Turn! Turn! Turn!"; "Eight Miles High Eight Miles High "Eight Miles High" is a song by the American rock band The Byrds, written by Gene Clark, Jim McGuinn, and David Crosby and first released as a single on March 14, 1966 . The single managed to reach the Top 20 of the Billboard Hot 100 and the Top 30 of the UK Singles Chart... "; "Knockin' on Heaven's Door Knockin' on Heaven's Door "Knockin' on Heaven's Door" is a song written and performed by Bob Dylan for the soundtrack of the 1973 film Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid. It reached #12 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart.-Story line and song structure:... "; "I'll Feel a Whole Lot Better". McGuinn has guested at several R.E.M. shows as well. |
| The Spongetones | Torn Apart | 1984 | Clapping | On the track "Shock Therapy", with Don Dixon and Mitch Easter Mitch Easter Mitch Easter is a songwriter, musician, and producer. As a producer, he is probably best known for his work with R.E.M. from 1981 through 1984, though he has also worked with many other acts including The Hang Ups, Pavement, Suzanne Vega, Game Theory, Marshall Crenshaw, Velvet Crush, and... . |
| Nikki Sudden Nikki Sudden Nikki Sudden was a prolific English singer-songwriter and guitarist. He co-founded the post-punk band Swell Maps with his brother Epic Soundtracks while attending Solihull School in Solihull.-Career:... |
The Jewel Thief | 1991 | Drums, guitar, bass | On the tracks "I Belong to You I Belong to You (Nikki Sudden song) "I Belong to You" is a 1991 song by Nikki Sudden from the album The Jewel Thief. The song was later collected on the 2000 compilation The Last Bandit: The Best of Nikki Sudden. The songs were recorded during a brief period when Sudden lived at R.E.M... ", Alley of the Street, and Jigsaw Blues. |
| Nikki Sudden | I Belong to You/Alley of the Street/Jigsaw Blues | 1991 | Drums, guitar, bass | Single from the album. |
| The Troggs The Troggs The Troggs are an English rock band from the 1960s that had a number of hits in UK and the US. Their most famous songs include, "Wild Thing", "With a Girl Like You", and "Love Is All Around"... |
Don't You Know/Nowhere Road | February 2, 1992 | Drums, guitar, bass, co-writing | Single from Athens, Andover. |
| The Troggs | Athens, Andover | March 23, 1992 | Drums, guitar, bass, co-writing | The guys, along with Peter Holsapple Peter Holsapple Peter Holsapple formed, along with Chris Stamey, the singing, songwriting, and guitar-playing core of the dB's, a jangle-pop band from Winston-Salem, North Carolina. He became the band's principal songwriter and singer after Stamey's departure. The dB's were at the forefront of the guitar bands... , act as a backing band to Reg Presley Reg Presley Reg Presley is an English singer-songwriter. He is best known as the lead singer with prominent 1960s rock and roll band The Troggs, whose best known hit was "Wild Thing", though their only UK number one single was "With A Girl Like You"... 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.". |
| The Troggs | Together/Crazy Annie/Turned into Love | 1992 | Drums, guitar, bass | Single from the album. |
| The Troggs | Athens and Beyond | 1999 | Drums, guitar, bass | Re-release of Athens, Andover with bonus tracks. |
| Warren Zevon | Sentimental Hygiene Sentimental Hygiene Sentimental Hygiene is an album by rock singer/songwriter Warren Zevon, released in 1987. The release of Sentimental Hygiene marked the first studio album for Zevon in five years... |
1987 | Drums, guitar, bass, co-writing | The was touted as a comeback album for Zevon and featured several guest stars in addition to R.E.M., such as fellow Duluth native Bob Dylan Bob Dylan Bob Dylan is an American singer-songwriter, musician, poet, film director and painter. He has been a major and profoundly influential figure in popular music and culture for five decades. Much of his most celebrated work dates from the 1960s when he was an informal chronicler and a seemingly... , Flea Flea (musician) Michael Peter Balzary , better known by his stage name Flea, is an Australian-American musician and occasional actor. He is best known as the bassist, co-founding member, and one of the composers of the rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers... from Red Hot Chili Peppers Red Hot Chili Peppers Red Hot Chili Peppers is an American rock band, formed in Los Angeles in 1983. The group's musical style primarily consists of rock with an emphasis on funk, as well as elements from other genres such as punk, hip hop and psychedelic rock... , and Neil Young Neil Young Neil Percival Young, OC, OM is a Canadian singer-songwriter who is widely regarded as one of the most influential musicians of his generation... . 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. |
| Warren Zevon | Even a Dog Can Shake Hands | 1999 | Drums, guitar, bass, co-writing | Used as the theme song to the television series Action Action (TV series) Action is a comedy series about a Hollywood producer named Peter Dragon, who is trying to recover from his last box-office failure. It aired on FOX during the 1999-2000 season. The series was critically praised for its irreverent, and sometimes hostile look at Hollywood culture. Thirteen episodes... . |
With Peter Buck
| Artist | Release | Year | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Doubting Thomas | Blue Angel | 1993 | Drums, guitar | On one track. |
| Tony Trischka Tony Trischka Tony Trischka is an American five-string banjo player.-Biography:Tony Trischka was born in Syracuse, New York, and graduated from Syracuse University with a B.A in Fine Arts, and was inspired to play the banjo in 1963, listening to the Kingston Trio's "Charlie and The MTA". Trischka was a... |
World Turning | 1993 | Bouzouki, percussion | On Alfa Ya Ya and If Animals Could Talk. |
Reunions with R.E.M.
Performances of the three-piece R.E.M. reunited with their original drummer.| Release | Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| n/a | October 10, 2003 - Raleigh, United States | After walking across the stage to shake Joey Waronker Joey Waronker Joseph "Joey" Waronker is an American drummer and music producer. He is the son of record producer Lenny Waronker and singer/actress Donna Loren; his younger sister is musician Anna Waronker; and his grandfather is record executive and professional violinist Simon Waronker. He has three other... 's hand on August 29, 1999, at the Chastain Park Amphitheatre in Atlanta Bill walked onstage at the Alltel Pavilion at Walnut Creek in Raleigh, North Carolina to sing on Radio Free Europe Radio Free Europe (song) "Radio Free Europe" is a song by American alternative rock band R.E.M. "Radio Free Europe" was released as R.E.M.'s debut single on the short-lived independent record label Hib-Tone in 1981... and drum on Permanent Vacation. |
| n/a | August 10, 2005 - Athens, United States | The band reform to play a friend and guitar tech Dewitt Burton's wedding reception at Kingpins Bowl and Brew in Athens, Georgia. The set: Sitting Still; (Don't Go Back To) Rockville (Don't Go Back To) Rockville " Rockville" was the second and final single released by R.E.M. from their second studio album Reckoning. The song failed to chart on either the Billboard Hot 100 or the UK Singles Charts.... ; Wolves, Lower; Begin the Begin Begin the Begin "Begin the Begin" is the first song on R.E.M.'s fourth album, Lifes Rich Pageant. Lead singer Michael Stipe has called it "a song of personal, political activism." Though never released as a single, it still appears frequently in the band's live performances as a song early in the set... ; The One I Love; 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 Minus 5 show in the Georgia Theatre, Bill, Mike, and Michael joined Peter, Scott McCaughey Scott McCaughey As a singer and songwriter, Scott McCaughey is the leader of the Seattle and Portland-based bands The Young Fresh Fellows and The Minus 5.He is also bassist for Robyn Hitchcock's most recent touring band, The Venus 3, along with Bill Rieflin and Peter Buck.... , and Bill Rieflin for an impromptu performance of Country Feedback Country Feedback "Country Feedback" is a song by R.E.M. from their 1991 album Out of Time.Michael Stipe has claimed that he did not even write the whole lyric down, that he "just had a piece of paper with a few words. I sang it and I walked out." The following day, the hastily-improvised take was deemed good enough... . Bill played bass, with Mike on keyboards. |
| 2006 Christmas single | September 12, 2006 - Athens, United States | 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) So. Central Rain (I'm Sorry) "So. Central Rain " is a song by the American alternative rock band R.E.M.. It was released in May 1984 as the first single from the group's second studio album Reckoning . "So. Central Rain " became the second R.E.M. single to chart on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number 85.R.E.M... . Proceeds went to the Community Connection and Family Connection/Communities in Schools charities. |
| n/a | September 9, 2006 - Atlanta, Georgia | The band is inducted into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame at the Georgia World Congress Center. They perform Begin the Begin, Losing My Religion Losing My Religion "Losing My Religion" is a song by the American alternative rock band R.E.M. The song was released as the first single from the group's 1991 album Out of Time. Based around a mandolin riff, "Losing My Religion" was an unlikely hit for the group, garnering heavy airplay on radio as well as on MTV due... , and Man on the Moon Man on the Moon (song) "Man on the Moon" is a song by the American alternative rock band R.E.M., released as the second single from its 1992 album Automatic for the People. The song makes numerous references to the performer Andy Kaufman, including his Elvis impersonation and work with wrestlers Fred Blassie and Jerry... . Bill, Peter, Mike, and Scott McCaughey Scott McCaughey As a singer and songwriter, Scott McCaughey is the leader of the Seattle and Portland-based bands The Young Fresh Fellows and The Minus 5.He is also bassist for Robyn Hitchcock's most recent touring band, The Venus 3, along with Bill Rieflin and Peter Buck.... also accompany Gregg Allman Gregg Allman Gregory Lenoir Allman , known as Gregg Allman, is a rock and blues singer, keyboardist, guitarist and songwriter, and a founding member of The Allman Brothers Band. He was inducted with the band into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1995 and received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Georgia... on a performance of Midnight Rider Midnight Rider "Midnight Rider" is a popular and widely covered song by The Allman Brothers Band, from their album Idlewild South. Written by Gregg Allman and Robert Kim Payne, the song has become a fixture of the band's live performances and an enduring standard... to round out the show. |
| n/a | March 12, 2007 - New York City, United States | For in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Rock and Roll Hall of Fame The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum is a museum located on the shore of Lake Erie in downtown Cleveland, Ohio, United States. It is dedicated to archiving the history of some of the best-known and most influential artists, producers, engineers and others who have, in some major way,... Induction Ceremony at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel, the band plays Begin the Begin Begin the Begin "Begin the Begin" is the first song on R.E.M.'s fourth album, Lifes Rich Pageant. Lead singer Michael Stipe has called it "a song of personal, political activism." Though never released as a single, it still appears frequently in the band's live performances as a song early in the set... , Gardening at Night Gardening at Night "Gardening at Night" is a song by R.E.M. It was recorded in 1982 for the band's EP Chronic Town.The song is said to have been written on a mattress in the front yard of the Oconee Street church in Athens, Georgia... , Man on the Moon Man on the Moon (song) "Man on the Moon" is a song by the American alternative rock band R.E.M., released as the second single from its 1992 album Automatic for the People. The song makes numerous references to the performer Andy Kaufman, including his Elvis impersonation and work with wrestlers Fred Blassie and Jerry... (with Eddie Vedder Eddie Vedder Eddie Vedder is an American musician and singer-songwriter who is best known for being the lead singer and one of three guitarists of the alternative rock band Pearl Jam. He is widely considered a cultural icon of alternative rock.He is also involved in soundtrack work and contributes to albums... of Pearl Jam Pearl Jam Pearl Jam is an American rock band that formed in Seattle, Washington, in 1990. Since its inception, the band's line-up has included Eddie Vedder , Jeff Ament , Stone Gossard , and Mike McCready... ), and I Wanna Be Your Dog I Wanna Be Your Dog "I Wanna Be Your Dog" is a 1969 song by the American rock band The Stooges. The song is featured on their self-titled debut album. Its memorable riff, composed of only three chords , is played continuously throughout the song... (with Patti Smith Patti Smith Patricia Lee "Patti" Smith is an American singer-songwriter, poet and visual artist, who became a highly influential component of the New York City punk rock movement with her 1975 debut album Horses.... and Lenny Kaye Lenny Kaye Lenny Kaye is an American guitarist, composer and writer who is best known as a member of the Patti Smith Group.- Early life :... ). |
| #9 Dream Number 9 Dream "#9 Dream" is a song written by John Lennon and first issued on his 1974 album Walls and Bridges. It was released as the second single from that album months later, on Apple Records catalogue Apple 1878 in the United States and Apple R6003 in the United Kingdom... |
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 John Lennon song in John Keane Studio, with production by Jacknife Lee Jacknife Lee Garret "Jacknife" Lee is an Irish music producer and mixer. He has worked with a variety of artists, including The Cars, U2, R.E.M., Snow Patrol, Bloc Party, AFI, The Hives, Weezer, Vega4 and Editors.-Biography:... . 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 Instant Karma: The Amnesty International Campaign to Save Darfur Instant Karma: The Amnesty International Campaign to Save Darfur is a compilation album of various artists covering songs of John Lennon to benefit Amnesty International's campaign to alleviate the crisis in Darfur... , released on June 12, 2007. |
See also
- Albums produced by Bill Berry
- Songs written by Bill Berry