Bill Rieflin dead: R.E.M drummer dies aged 59 as bandmate reveals star's final moments

R.E.M drummer Bill Rieflin has died aged 59, his bandmate Michael Stipe, 69, has confirmed. According to friends and social media posts from several artists, Bill died after a battle with cancer. Michael confirmed Bill's death in a lengthy statement on the group's Facebook page, where he also shared the star's final moments. The singer shared a picture of his late friend alongside guitarist Lenny Kaye, which was taken earlier month as well as a picture of him and Bill, which was captured last year.  He wrote: "Bill Rieflin (1960-2020). It is with heavy hearts we acknowledge the death of our dear friend and consummate drummer, Bill.” Addressing the drummer's final picture, he added: “Bill sent me this picture last week of him and Lenny Kaye earlier this month when the Patti Smith Group were in town and they got to hang out. Caroline Quentin talks ‘dreadful time’ after split with Paul Merton READ MORE Louise Minchin: BBC Breakfast host admits 'I'm closer to the edge'  “He was elated to see such great friends and gather at his favorite weird Chinese-American diner.” Reflecting the time he first met Bill, Michael continued: “A forever memory is decades old, when I first met Bill at a late night Policeman’s bar in Seattle, sat at a greasy table drinking scotch, and we listened to ‘Birdland’ off the jukebox in reverent silence and awe. “His attentiveness to that song then and there indicated a lot to me about what it would be to work with Bill— which commenced to create some magical and beautiful collaborations and life long friendships.” He went on to say: “And so to Bill now, he is among all the fine points of the stars and we are looking up with love and with our own reverence for his beauty, his humor, his relentless curiosity and of course his incredible musical ear, his time here with us so precious and golden."  R.E.M formed in 1980 and split in 2011. Members included, Bill, former drummer Bill Berry, guitarist Peter Buck, bassist Mike Mills, and lead vocalist Michael Stipe. The late drummer worked regularly with R.E.M, following the retirement of Bill Berry in 1997. The latter collapsed on stage from a ruptured brain aneurysm during a show. Jeff Hordley: Emmerdale’s Cain Dingle speaks out on change after split [INTERVIEW]Dan Walker: BBC host reflects on Boris Johnson interview amid backlash [TWITTER]Phillip Schofield: This Morning star addresses Piers Morgan's gay joke [VIDEO] Following this, he recovered and rejoined the band, but left in October 1997. Two years after the band's split, R.E.M’s Robert announced a new line-up for King Crimson, which included Bill. The drummer has also played for the band Ministry, who were founded by singer and instrumentalist Al Jourgensen. Following the news of Bill's death, many fans and friends of the star have flocked to social media to pay tribute to Bill. Trending READ MORE Carol Vorderman shuts down Piers Morgan after adult uniform remark  Bassist Krist Novoselić tweeted: “So sorry to hear of B