Peter Buck's Rickenbacker guitar stolen

Once again proving that no band is safe from the scourge of rapacious gear thieves, bandits have made off with R.E.M. guitarist Pete Buck's longtime Rickenbacker axe from a show in Helsinki. This theft was particularly brazen, as the guitar in question was taken directly off the stage after the band's set at Finnair Stadium on Tuesday night. The guitar has appeared on every R.E.M. record since the band's 1982 debut EP, "Chronic Town," and the group is offering, as they put it in a bulletin, "a generous reward, no questions asked" for the guitar's return.

If you happen to come across any shifty-looking Finn hocking a vintage Rickenbacker played by Buck, R.E.M. asks that you call them at (001) 706-353-6689 or send an e-mail to fanclub@remtour.com. All ransom demands made by phone will promptly be *69'ed, surely.

-- August Brown

Peter Buck photo by Mark Matson / For The Times