Bill Berry Returns to R.E.M

In a Christmas miracle that's set to melt the coldest of hearts, members of R.E.M.'s fanclub have received an early present in the form of the return of erstwhile drummer Bill Berry. As is customary at Yuletide, the band has sent out its annual Christmas single to its fanclub and this year's disc, a cover of Lenny Kaye's 'Crazy Like A Fox,' features the retired drummer behind the kit again.

Sadly, the single doesn't represent a full reunion as singer Michael Stipe and guitarist Peter Buck (pictured) are both absent from the record. Vocal duties were handled by bassist Mick Mills who also plays guitar on the record.

Berry is no stranger to returning to the R.E.M. fold, having played with the band several times since quitting the drums in 1997 but the new single is just the second time that he's recorded with the band since then. He previously played with them on a cover of John Lennon's '#9 Dream' for 2007's 'Instant Karma: The Amnesty International Campaign to Save Darfur' tribute album.

The other track on the single finds Mick Mills in solo mode as he tackles the seasonal classic, 'Santa Baby'.'