Peter Buck

Early Life

Peter Lawrence Buck was born on December 6, 1956, in Berkeley, California. His family moved through various locations, including Los Angeles and San Francisco, before settling in Atlanta, Georgia. After graduating with honors from Crestwood High School in 1975, Buck attended Emory University, where he joined the Delta Tau Delta fraternity but eventually dropped out. He later moved to Athens, Georgia, where he worked at Wuxtry Records, a pivotal place where he met future R.E.M. bandmate Michael Stipe and the band's future manager, Bertis Downs.

Career

Peter Buck is best known as the co-founder and lead guitarist of the iconic alternative rock band R.E.M., which he was a part of from 1980 until their disbandment in 2011. Throughout his career, Buck has also been involved in numerous side projects, including bands like Arthur Buck, Hindu Love Gods, and The Minus 5, among others. His versatility as a musician is showcased through his use of various instruments, including the banjo and mandolin, which he played on several R.E.M. tracks. Buck's latest project, as of 2025, is a band called Drink The Sea, which has released a self-titled double album.

Personal Life

Buck has been married three times, with his first marriage to Barrie Greene ending in divorce in 1994. He has twin daughters with his second wife, Stephanie Dorgan, whom he married in 1995. After their separation in 2006, Buck married Chloe Johnson in 2013, but they divorced in 2019. Known for his extensive music knowledge and a record collection estimated at around 25,000, Buck has lived in various locations, including the Pacific Northwest and Todos Santos, Mexico. He is also an atheist, reflecting a personal philosophy that is distinct from his musical persona.