William Thomas Berry, known as Bill Berry, was born on July 31, 1958, in Duluth, Minnesota. He is an American musician best known as the drummer for the iconic alternative rock band R.E.M., which he co-founded in 1980 alongside Mike Mills, Michael Stipe, and Peter Buck. Berry's drumming style was noted for its economy and innovation, and he also contributed to the band’s sound by playing guitar, bass, mandolin, keyboards, and piano on various tracks. He was a key songwriter for R.E.M., co-writing some of their most beloved songs, including "Everybody Hurts" and "Man on the Moon."

Berry's early life involved frequent relocations, moving from Duluth to Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, then Sandusky, Ohio, and finally to Macon, Georgia, where he attended Northeast High School and met future bandmate Mike Mills. They played together in several local bands before forming R.E.M. in Athens, Georgia. Berry briefly studied pre-law at the University of Georgia before committing fully to his music career.

In 1995, Berry suffered a brain aneurysm on stage during R.E.M.'s Monster tour but made a remarkable recovery. Two years later, he decided to leave the band and the music industry to pursue a quieter life as a farmer, becoming the only member to leave R.E.M. before their disbandment. Despite his departure, Berry occasionally reunited with his former bandmates for special performances.

In 2022, Berry returned to the music industry by forming a new band, The Bad Ends, and released their debut album "The Power and the Glory" in January 2023. Berry's contributions to music have been widely recognized, including multiple Grammy Awards with R.E.M. and an induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2007. Berry was married to Mari Lou Burgi from 1986 until their amicable divorce, and he has one son.