REM guitarist tried on 'air rage' charges

LONDON, UK (BBC) - REM guitarist Peter Buck is to stand trial on Monday, charged with a series of offences relating to an alleged "air rage" incident. The 44-year-old faces five charges including criminal damage and common assault.

The alleged incident involving the rock star happened on a British Airways flight from Seattle to Heathrow on 21 April. He was flying into London to take part in a concert at Trafalgar Square before starting a world tour.

Buck is accused of disobeying a lawful command of the commander of an aircraft, of being drunk on an aircraft, of damaging British Airways crockery, of using threatening behaviour and assaulting two crew members.

He is also charged with interfering with the performance of a crew member's duties, an allegation involving a control panel on an external door of the aircraft.

He pleaded not guilty to all the charges at an earlier court appearance.

Influential

REM are widely regarded as one of the most influential groups of the past two decades and have been an inspiration for a generation of alternative rock bands.

The group formed in 1980 with a line-up of Michael Stipe, Peter Buck, Mike Mills and Bill Berry. Yet, REM did not hit mainstream chart success until the release of their Green album in 1988. Their albums have also included Murmur, Reckoning, Document, Out of Time and Automatic for the People.

Buck's trial at Isleworth Crown Court in west London is expected to last up to a week.