Guitarist Pleads Not Guilty
R.E.M. guitarist Peter Buck on Tuesday denied five charges relating to an alleged air rage incident on a British Airways flight.
Buck, 44, pleaded not guilty to two assault charges, criminal damage, being drunk on an aircraft and disobeying an aircraft captain. His trial was set for November 12. He was released on $28,000 bond.
Buck arrived at Isleworth Crown Court in west London in a chauffeur-driven car with his wife.
The star, wearing sunglasses, a dark suit and a black tie, denied the charges, which relate to an incident on a British Airways flight from Seattle to London's Heathrow airport on April 21.
The alleged incident occurred as the Georgia band traveled to Britain to promote their album "Reveal," and to perform at a Nelson Mandela tribute concert in London.
As a member of the U.S. band R.E.M., Buck has sold an estimated 40 million records worldwide, according to his record company Warner Brothers.
The band on Sunday entered the U.K. chart at number 23 with their new single "All the Way to Reno (You're Gonna be a Star)."
Formed in Athens, Georgia, in 1980 with a line-up of Buck, Michael Stipe, Mike Mills and Bill Berry, R.E.M. has released 12 albums. Among their most popular singles are "Losing My Religion," "Shiny Happy People" and "Everybody Hurts."
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