Drummer Is Leaving, but R.E.M. Will Go On as Trio

R.E.M., arguably the most acclaimed American rock group to emerge in the ‘80s, disclosed Thursday that drummer Bill Berry has left the band. The remaining members said that they will continue as a trio.

Berry, who suffered a brain aneurysm in 1995 but has since toured and recorded with the band, said that his decision is based on personal, not medical reasons.

“Physically my brain is in great shape,” he said in a phone interview Thursday from the band’s headquarters in Athens, Ga. “My motor functions are fine, but I think going through the whole ordeal . . . coming pretty close to death, may have affected my priorities.

“When we got together [to prepare for the next album] in Hawaii in April, I didn’t feel like I was all there. I felt like I was on another page or something . . . like my fire of enthusiasm wasn’t burning as brightly as the other guys.”

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But Berry didn’t act on his feelings until the group met again in Athens three weeks ago to resume pre-production on the album.

“I said, ‘Guys, I’m really not into this the way I used to be and I’d rather not do it. . . . But if it means the band is going to break up, I can certainly go on indefinitely.’ ”

Berry, 39, said he was hugely relieved when the band said it would continue. “It made me the happiest guy in the world because I didn’t want to be the schmuck who broke R.E.M. up.”

Berry was speaking to The Times in a conference call with the other members of the band, which is expected to make the formal announcement of his decision in a press statement today.

“I’m really in shock,” lead singer Michael Stipe said. “Since I was 19, Bill has been beside me or behind me musically. . . . You take one part out of an equation and that equation is going to change. But we are supporting his decision. . . .

“In the last three weeks, I’ve spoken a lot to Bill and I’m convinced that it is what he really wants to do. It’s really courageous that he’s not willing to fake it for us or the fans or the money or pop stardom or anything.”

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The news follows a particularly difficult period for the group, beginning with a series of illnesses during their 1995 world tour. The most serious was Berry’s aneurysm, but there was also bassist Mike Mills’ abdominal surgery and Stipe’s hernia surgery.

The trials continued after the tour when the band’s longtime manager, Jefferson Holt, resigned, reportedly after allegations that he sexually harassed a female employee of the band.

In addition, there was the disappointment in the record industry over the modest sales of the band’s latest album, “New Adventures in Hi-Fi,” which was released in September 1996. The collection, which came on the heels of a record $80-million pact with Warner Bros. Records, stayed on the U.S. charts only 22 weeks and has only been certified platinum (1 million sales) rather than the multiple platinum of past releases.

Steven Baker, president of Warner Bros. Records, said in a statement that the company is “saddened” by Berry’s decision, but is “proud and happy” to have been associated with him. He added that the company will “continue to support R.E.M.” and eagerly awaits the band’s next album.

Guitarist Peter Buck and bassist Mike Mills said that Berry’s endorsement eliminated any potential doubt about whether they should continue. “If Bill would have died [after the aneurysm], the band wouldn’t exist,” Buck said. “The three of us might be playing together under some other name or doing something, but [not as R.E.M.].”

Buck said they will hire drummers for the next album and tour, both of which are scheduled for 1999, rather than formally replace Berry in the group.

The effect of Berry’s departure on the band is uncertain. While many groups, including the Rolling Stones and Pink Floyd, have continued to enjoy success following personnel shifts, other bands have seen a decline in popularity after the loss of one or more members--as, perhaps, fans feel some authenticity has been lost.

R.E.M. was known as a particularly close unit, with all four members contributing to the writing and arrangements. Indeed, Berry, Buck, Mills and Stipe shared songwriting royalties equally, and all had veto power over band decisions.

Berry said he has no specific plans, instead, he’s simply anticipating a new, undefined chapter in his life.

“Past this point, I’m looking forward to seeing what develops,” he said.

Since forming in 1980, R.E.M., whose artful, introspective songs and folk-rock strains have influenced a generation of bands, has sold more than 30 million albums and released such hit singles as “Losing My Religion,” “Man on the Moon” and “Everybody Hurts.”

Berry and the others said they wanted to disclose the decision together to minimize the speculation and rumors that normally follow personnel changes in rock bands. “In this case,” Berry said, “what we’re saying is the absolute truth.”