THIS LAND
I was in one of the biggest bands of the 90s – but I quit fame after onstage collapse and now I’m a farmer
AMERICAN rock band R.E.M. first formed in 1980 and went onto sell more than 90 million records worldwide.
The award winning group from Georgia amicably split up in 2011 as the individual members decided to pursue solo projects.
5
5
Over the years the group achieved huge success, winning three Grammy Awards and 12 additional nominations.
They've also won twelve VMA's, three BRIT Awards and two Billboard Music Awards.
However one member in particular was notable for the way he left the band and the direction he chose to go next.
65-year-old Bill Berry was one of the founding members in 1980 and was widely known as the band's drummer.
READ MORE ON THE 90s
He also played other instruments which included the guitar, bass guitar and piano and he was also credited as a songwriter on R.E.M. albums
At the height of the group's success tragedy struck as he was rushed to hospital.
In 1995, the musician suffered a ruptured cerebral aneurysm whilst performing on stage and he subsequently collapsed.
He made a full recovery after the incident at the Patinoire Auditorium in Lausanne, Switzerland.
Most read in Music
However, two years later he chose to leave the music industry for a more modest life.
At the time, he explained that he no longer had the drive or the enjoyment levels he used to and he also decided he didn't want to travel.
He told VH-1's Behind the Music: "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."
Bill added: "I've been pounding the tubs since I was nine years old … I'm ready to do something else."
He since decided to maintain a low profile, making only sporadic returns to the group as he chose instead to become a farmer.
The recording artist is the only member not to remain with the group for their entire run, although he chose to return to the industry.
5
5
5
Topics