Bill Rieflin, who performed as a drummer for many bands, including King Crimson, Nine Inch Nails, and REM, has died at the age of 59, after battling cancer.
King Crimson’s founder, Robert Fripp, announced on Facebook that Rieflin died on Tuesday, March 24.
Fripp said he learned that Rieflin passed away from his wife, Tracy, in Seattle.
“Bill Rieflin flew from this world c. 11.50 Pacific, 18.50 UK. Tracy told Toyah and me that the day was grey, and as Bill flew away the clouds opened, and the skies were blue for about fifteen minutes. Fly well, Brother Bill! My life is immeasurably richer for knowing you.”
King Crimson’s official twitter page also confirmed Rieflin’s death.
Bill Rieflin cause of death
Although a cause of death was not immediately revealed, multiple social media posts by his friends and fellow artists indicated that Rieflin died after he was diagnosed with cancer, according to Variety.
Goodbye Bill Rieflin 1960 – 2020
After a long battle with cancer, Bill Rieflin died yesterday. There's more about Bill here… https://t.co/MRo6YZvWL2 pic.twitter.com/S3kl9ebCoF— KING CRIMSON (@DGMHQ) March 25, 2020
Tributes on Twitter
Bill Rieflin’s fans and fellow artists have been posting tributes on Twitter since news of his death broke.
Our dear wonderful Bill Rieflin flew from this world today. Much loved HUMAN and member of King Crimson. Family by his side. Forever in our hearts. #billrieflin pic.twitter.com/Z4FkM74X1X
— Toyah Willcox (@toyahofficial) March 24, 2020
Paying tribute to one of the most respected industrial drummers, Seattle-born, Bill Rieflin on @kexp ? He played drums with Ministry, the Revolting Cocks, Lard, KMFDM, Pigface, Swans, Chris Connelly, and Nine Inch Nails. He was most recently a member of King Crimson. pic.twitter.com/2wyYZZyWcz
— Kevin Cole (@djkevincole) March 24, 2020
Today we lost a wonderful artist, tremendous human being and an integral part of Ministry’s developments and success…
Safe travels my brother on the way to your next universal gig.
R.I.P Bill Rieflin#MinistryBand #WeAreMinistry #Ministry #Revco #BillRieflin #RestInPeace pic.twitter.com/5YfhvGUZcR
— Ministry (@WeAreMinistry) March 24, 2020
REM’s Michael Stipe also paid an emotional tribute on Twitter, extolling Rieflin’s “beauty, his humor, his relentless curiosity and of course his incredible musical ear.”
Stipe recalled that he and Rieflin first met at a policeman’s bar in Seattle, where they drank and enjoyed music together.
Bill Rieflin’s death comes after Monsters and Critics reported that legendary folk singer Julie Felix died at the age of 81 after a brief illness.
Legendary country musician, Kenny Rogers, also died last week at the age of 81.
Bill Rieflin bio
Bill Rieflin was born in Seattle in September 1960. His career started in his hometown in the mid-1970s, and he became widely recognized as an influential participant in the industrial rock and industrial metal scene.
Although he was best known as a drummer, Rieflin played several other instruments and was widely praised as a versatile artist.
He started playing for The Blackouts in 1979 after a stint with The Telepaths. He later joined Ministry, participating in the production of the group’s album, The Land of Rape and Honey.
During his career spanning more than three decades, Rieflin played for many bands, including REM, Nine Inch Nails, Swans, Ministry, and King Crimson.
He also played with Minus 5, Revolting Cocks, KMFDM, and Pigface.
Although he was associated with many bands during his career, he rarely joined any band he played for as an official full-time member, Variety noted.
He worked with REM from 2003 until the group disbanded in 2011. He started playing with King Crimson as a drummer and later as a keyboardist in 2013.
He joined King Crimson for the North American leg of their Radical Action Tour in 2017. He remained with the band until his death.
He also released solo recordings, including Birth of a Giant.
He was married to Francesca Sundsten, a painter, who died in 2019.