Drummer Bill Rieflin, best known for his time with Ministry, has died from cancer. He was 59 years old.
Rieflin made a name for himself in the late ’80’s with Ministry and spent nearly a decade with them. He also played with R.E.M. from 2003 through 2011 and started with King Crimson in 2013.
King Crimson founder Robert Fripp released the news of Bill Rieflin’s passing on Facebook after receiving a call from drummer’s wife.
Rieflin started with Ministry in 1986 and The Land of Rape and Honey album was his debut with the band and also played drums on the The Mind Is a Terrible Thing to Taste, and Psalm 69 albums. He was with the band until 1995.
Ministry wrote a farewell message to Rieflin on their Twitter page.
Today we lost a wonderful artist, tremendous human being and an integral part of Ministry’s developments and success…
— Ministry (@WeAreMinistry) March 24, 2020
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
Rieflin joined R.E.M. in 2003 and played drums on their last three albums. He also played drums on one song off of Nine Inch Nails Fragile album.
