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The Bill Berry
Illness FAQ
Summary
of basic information
"I
heard a rumor Bill Berry died over the weekend of 4/30!"
"What
is the text of the Fan Club postcard mailed out in March?"
"What
were the most recent news reports about Berry's condition?"
"What
was Warner Brothers' official, early response to all of
the rumors about Bill's condition?"
"What
is an aneurysm? (two definitions)"
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"Summary
of basic information"
Bill Berry, R.E.M.'s
drummer, took ill during a concert at Lausanne,
Switzerland's
Patinoire Auditorium on Wednesday, March 1st, with a
headache severe
enough that he was forced to leave the stage. Upon
examination in
a local hospital, Berry was determined to have at
least one aneurysm
(see below for definitions) on the right hand
surface of his
brain, which needed surgery to correct. His recovery
has proceeded
smoothly and on Tuesday, 3/21, he was released from
the hospital
and recuperated at an undisclosed location.
While the first
European leg of the tour was cancelled (some
European newsgroup
members have said their tickets are being exchanged
for European
shows later in the year), MTV reported on 4/16 that the
U.S. portion
of the tour would in fact continue as of 5/15, with a few
dates between
5/9 and 5/15 (AZ, Nevada, and S. Calif.) to be
rescheduled for
the fall. See the "World Tour" Mini-FAQ for the
lastest information
on tour cancellations and rescheduling.
"I heard
a rumor Bill Berry died over the weekend of 4/30!"
Another bogus
hoax. This information was provided by Jim McGuinn,
program director
at KPNT in St. Louis:
"Apparently,
we have been made the victim of a rather elaborate, and
believeable hoax.
It's not like we made the info up. I was out of town
last night, but
here's what happened:
"Both the Point
and a local TV station received faxes stating that Berry
had died and
a press conference would be forthcoming. These were sent
on WB stationary,
with a cover sheet that gave title to an actual WB
employee, with
totally correct info to back it up (ie, fax phone number
was real, "if
there is difficulty with this transmission... - correct,
even down to
the extension number of the supposed employee who sent it
out.) It
was totally smart to send out such a prank in the middle of a
weekend, when
it is hard to confirm or deny any info. Here's how the
station handled
it:
"Went on the
air and said that we had received what seemed to be a
statement from
WB stating... and that we would try to confirm or deny
this as soon
as possible. We did not say it was fact. Then we got on
the phone and
called all our contacts at AP, MTV, WB, CNN, and other alt
rock stations
around the country. As soon as it appeared that it was
not true, we
went on the air to explain that as well. I just got off
the phone with
our local WB rep, who called the VP of AOR, who also
hadn't heard
anything. So as far as we know, the whole thing was a real
sick, real disgusting,
well done hoax. We worked as fast as possible to
clear this up,
but even now, the WB people are having a hard time
confirming that
it is NOT true.
"Needless to
say, WB is pissed and we are working together to try to find
out who perpetrated
this. We are both talking about taking legal action
when we get to
the bottom of this. I personally apologize for any fears
or worries this
may have caused. Having worked closely with the band
back in their
IRS days (and nearly going to work for Jefferson's
sometime label,
Dog Gone back in '89), the last thing I want is for
misinformation
to spread. This hoax was so well done that now we won't
be able to trust
legit info we receive via fax. Hope this helps explain
what happened
in Stl last night."
Jim McGuinn
Program Director
105.7 KPNT St.
Louis
"What
is the text of the Fan Club postcard mailed out in March?"
A Note To Our Friends
As Bill
continues his recovery, all of us are counting our blessings
that he
is okay and his health will be fully restored. How soon we do not
know, and
when the tour will resume is still very much up in the air. But
first things
first, which is for Bill to get well, and that is happening
day by
day.
Three weeks
to the day after his surgery, Bill played a vigorous 18
holes of
golf, and seemed very much on his game. His spirits are good,
especially
considering all that he has been through.
Among the
many positive things to come out of this unexpected and scary
turn of
events has been the incredible outpouring of support for Bill that
has come
from all quarters - people on the street, friends, fans, and
family.
He is much loved, and all those thoughts and pryayers have
definitely
been a comfort to him and the rest of us.
Many Thanks,
R.E.M.
27 March 1995
"What
were the most recent news reports about Berry's condition?" [In
reverse chronological order]
MTV news' Kurt
Loder reported 4/16 that Berry seems nearly fully
recovered, that
he has been playing golf and tennis, attended the
finals of the
Masters tournament, and that he has practiced with
the band in anticipation
of resuming the world tour on 5/15.
_Rolling Stone_
(first week of Apr.) ran a brief piece quoting
a publicist for
Warner Brothers, Karen Moss, as saying that all
or some of the
scheduled U.S. date will be cancelled in the event
Berry is not
ready to go by the opening date of May 5, but that it
was still expected
he would be recovered.
A newswire report
of March 21 stated that Berry's condition has
now improved
to the point that he has been released from the Swiss
hospital where
he has been recovering. The article also stated that
"R.E.M. will
announce their updated tour plans within the next month."
A report the
same day on MTV also reported the release, and that Berry
will now spend
3 weeks in "R & R" (must be "rest & relaxation," not
"rock & roll"
;). The MTV report also stated that in concern for his
privacy, it will
not be announced whether he is still in Switzerland
or has returned
to Athens, Ga. Finally, the MTV report stated that
announcements
and tour updates will be made in the next few weeks,
but that the
American leg of the tour is still slated to begin as
scheduled early
May.
In a recent article
in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Bertis Downs
said "there's
been no discussion, and there won't be," of replacing Berry
in the case he
is not well enough to play May concerts, and that there
is "no chance"
of that happening.
In addition,
MTV news reported on 3/12/95 that Bill was "up on his
feet Friday at
the Swiss hospital where he's recuperating," and "that
his prognosis
continued to look good, although he's still experiencing
intense headaches
and some swelling.... Spokespeople say that, as they
focus on Berry's
continued recovery, they haven't even begun to ponder
the fate of US
dates, scheduled to start May 5th in Phoenix." They
finally suggested
that, in the meantime, concerned fans should send
cards and letters
to Berry care of the R.E.M. offices, P.O. Box 8032,
Athens, Georgia,
30603.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
reported Tuesday, 3/7, that "R.E.M.
has canceled
all its concert dates through April, effectively ending
its tour of European
indoor arenas," in the wake of Bill Berry's
illness and operation,
but that the North American leg of the tour,
"to begin May
5 in Pheonix, remain as scheduled, as do a series of
European outdoor
and stadium dates in June and July." They quoted
R.E.M./Athens
Ltd as saying rescheduling of these cancelled European
dates is "unlikely."
"What
was Warner Brothers' official, early response to all of
the rumors about Bill's
condition?"
NEW YORK, March 3 /PRNewswire/ -- The following is being issued by
Warner Bros.
Records:
R.E.M. drummer Bill Berry was taken ill with an acute migraine
90 minutes into
the band's set at Lausanne's Patinoire Auditorium on
Wednesday, March
1.
Following overnight observation by Swiss doctors, an examination
revealed that
Berry, 36, had suffered a ruptured aneurysm (subarachnoid
haemorrhage)
on the right hand outside surface of his brain. There was
no internal bleeding.
On Friday, March 3 an operating team performed a craniotomy. This
is a micro surgical
procedure in which the aneurysm is clipped, securing
it against any
further bleeding.
The operation was uneventful and 100% successful and the doctors are
happy with Berry's
recovery.
Berry will spend the next week to 10 days recuperating in
Switzerland.
The functions of his body and brain have not been impaired
in any way and
the doctors predict he'll be able to pick up his
drumsticks within
the next 2 to 3 weeks.
The current R.E.M. tour will naturally be postponed for the
foreseeable future.
But Berry is in good hands and good spirits and is
expected to make
a full and speedy recovery.
"What is
an aneurysm?"
From the Grolier
Encyclopedia:
"aneurysm {an'-yur-izm}
"An aneurysm
is a widening or dilation of a blood vessel caused by thinning
of the vessel
wall. A potentially lethal complication is the rupture of
the vessel with
resultant massive hemorrhage. Aneurysms usually occur in
arteries but
may also be seen in the heart after local damage, or in
veins.
"Arterial aneurysms
are more common than venous, occurring most often in
elderly, diabetic,
or hypertensive persons. They may be caused by
congenital thinning
of the muscular portions of the artery, during
atherosclerotic
degeneration of the aorta or of the carotid or basilar
arteries, by
trauma to a vessel wall, by infectious injury, or by
degeneration
from other causes. The likelihood of rupture is increased by
high blood pressure.
Defects in arteries of the eye may result in miliary
(small, multiple)
aneurysms of the retina.
"Treatment of
a person with a ruptured aneurysm may include reduction of
blood pressure,
bed rest for two weeks, replacement of the weakened vessel
by a graft or
encasement in plastic, or mechanically stopping blood flow
to or through
the aneurysm."
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From the Oxford
Handbook of Clinical Medicine:
"Causes: Ruptured
aneurysms, usually congenital Berry aneurysms...
"Berry aneurysms:
15% are multiple. Common sites are the junction of the
posterior communicating
artery with internal carotid, the anterior
communicating
artery, and the middle cerebral artery. Genetic influence
suggested. Skin
biopsy may identify relatives at risk by demonstrating
type III collagen
deficiency (M Venning 1981 British Medical Journal II
p824). Associated
with polycystic kidneys, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, coarc-
tation of aorta.
"Clinical features:
A sudden severe headache, possibly with faintness and
vomiting.
"Rebleeding can
occur in 30% of patients and is a common mode of death,
often in the
first five days, or around the 12th day from the initial
attack. Vascular
spasm follows a bleed, and can cause ischemia leading
to neurological
deficits which are permanent.
"Treatment: Early
consult with neurologist important, then angiography and
surgery (to clip
aneurysm) to reduce risk of rebleeding; this only is
called for if
patient is conscious and shows little neurological deficit.
"Medical treatment
calls for control of severe hypertension, analgesia for
headaches, and
bed rest for about four weeks. Calcium antagonists such
as Nimodipine
can be used to counter vascular spasm."
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Many thanks to all who
contributed information to this text.
Questions? Email to:
rgh3@cornell.edu
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