We just lost Neil Peart in January, and now Bill Rieflin, also from cancer (and his wife died from lymphoma last year). Rieflin filled some VERY big shoes after Bill Berry left R.E.M., that’s for sure.
RIP.
Oh man… so many good songs and bands he was a part of!
RIP Mr. Rieflin; you done good. I’m gonna listen to some SWANS now. My Father Will Guide Me up a Rope to the Sky seems appropriate.
I saw that. He was in KMFDM as well for awhile.
This sucks - RIP Bill. I mostly knew him from Ministry and related bands, and didn’t even know he’d played with people from REM to Robyn Hitchcock to King Crimson.
Aye: SWANS, KMFDM, Pigface, Ministry, R.E.M., Lard, Nine Inch Nails, King Crimson, Revolting Cocks… he was in a ton of bands that I listen to and admire.
In reading his wiki, I saw that his wife Francesca Sundsten passed away last year; she was also a supremely talented artist (a painter).
I have to admit that I’ve never heard his name, but all the bands he played for are an enormous resume! I have to catch up on the things he played on.
(and by the way, the article was the first time I heard that Robert Fripp and Toyah Wlicox are married. I had no idea!)
Yeah, I thought the same without knowing him. I like all that bands, and they are so different!
Sad news. He really was a big part of many of my favourite bands.
Going off to listen to Pigface…