R.E.M.’s Peter Buck recalled when his stolen guitar was returned by a biker gang

Virgin Radio

22 Dec 2021, 18:05

Pic: Getty

It was quite the adventure!

Poor Peter Buck of R.E.M was furious when his beloved guitar was stolen, but it was returned to him by an unlikely source.

A Finnish biker gang came to the rescue.

He told the Daily Express about the time one of his favourite Rickenbacker guitars went missing in Finland.

Buck shared a story about his adored Rickenbacker Jetglo 360, the guitar he has played on every R.E.M. album.

It was stolen by an associate of the band back in 2008.

"It was an inside job and I was furious,” Buck fumed, adding that the guitar was even held for $1million ransom.

He explained the unconventional way the guitar was returned to him: “While our legal team were working it out, some fearsome fellows were riding around on motorbikes, explaining to people we thought connected to the theft, ‘Somebody knows something and we’re going to find out.'”

Buck continued: “We explained to the idiot who stole the guitar, ‘If you “find” this guitar, you get to be the good guy and you can have €10,000. But if you press on, that’s extortion and you’ll get up to 30 years in prison.’

“He took the €10,000. When I got [the guitar] back, I felt bad about that black Ricky for a few days. I had to play it and sweat on it again, as I’d been thinking, ‘Some real scumbag has held this for a week.'”

At the time he said it was returned by an “anonymous source,” adding: “It’s great to have it back in my hands.”

R.E.M.’s manager Bertis Downs said: “We were always hopeful it would turn up, and thanks to the efforts of a lot of people, we are thrilled to have it back in Peter’s possession. We are grateful and very happy that it worked out this way.”

This could be a film!

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