He had played with King Crimson, Ministry and Nine Inch Nails. He was also the drummer of REM, from 2003 until 2011, date of the dissolution of the American group. Bill Rieflin died on Tuesday March 24 at the age of 59. Relatives say he was fighting cancer.
On Instagram, members of the alternative rock band wanted to pay a final tribute to the deceased musician. "It is with a heavy heart that we learn of the death of our dear friend and accomplished drummer, Bill" , can we read in a publication accompanied by photos of the disappeared with guitarist Lenny Kaye and Michael Stipe, singer of REM
Mike Mills, bassist of the American group, also said goodbye to "a gentleman and a sweet man" , with whom he shared "his obscurity and his laughs" .
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Bill Rieflin joined REM in 2003, while the group sought to replace former drummer Bill Berry who left in 1997. He notably participated in the albums Around the Sun (2004), Accelerate (2008) and Collapse into Now (2011). But he will never really replace Bill Berry in the formation.
This way of working was recurrent with Bill Rieflin, who collaborated with many groups without ever officially integrating them. In 1986, he became the unofficial member of Ministry, a heavy metal band and played with them until 1995. He also participated in the recordings of KMFDM, German industrial rock group and co-founded the collective Pigface.
A drum solo by Bill Rieflin:
He ended up releasing his first solo album Birth of Giant in 1999, on which he played drums, bass, guitar, and also sang. More recently, in 2013, it was with the British progressive rock group King Crimson that Bill Rieflin will perform, until his death.
King Crimson guitarist and founder Robert Fripp shared his grief on Facebook after the musician's death was announced. "Tracy warned us that this day was gray, and as Bill flew away, the clouds dissipated, and the skies were blue for about fifteen minutes. Fly well, Brother Bill! My life has been infinitely richer since I have known you , ”he wrote.
In the United States, Krist Novoselic, the former Nirvana bassist, also wished to honor the memory of the drummer of REM: “I am really sorry to learn of the death of Bill Rieflin. A straight person and an excellent musician, ”he laments.
So many reactions which testify to the number of groups, around twenty, with which Bill Rieflin had collaborated during his career.
Everybody Hurts - REM