The Source: Joe Camilleri has friends in high places, and his guitar thieves ought to know it

The punks who stole vintage guitars from Joe Camilleri ought to remember he has friends in high places — including Hey Hey alumni Wilbur Wilde.

Camilleri appealed for the return of the cherished guitars, which were nicked along with personal papers, computer equipment, shampoo, a leaf blower, a yellow wheelie bin, and even all of his cutlery. Picture: Supplied

Putting the squeeze on Victoria’s movers, shakers and headline makers

When you make Wilbur Wilde angry, gee, things must be serious.

The legendary saxophonist and Hey Hey alumni has fired up over the theft of nine vintage guitars, stolen from his old mate Joe Camilleri’s home in Kyneton.

As the Herald Sun reported, Camilleri appealed for the return of the cherished guitars, which were nicked along with personal papers, computer equipment, shampoo, a leaf blower, a yellow wheelie bin, and even all of his cutlery. Yes, very strange.

Wilbur, Joe’s band buddy from the Jo Jo Zep and the Falcons and the Black Sorrows, told The Source that the culprits were “dumb punks’’.

And he warns: “Joey C has mates.”

Now we don’t for a minute think any Maltese Mafia is about to weigh in just yet.

But Wilbur points out that any collector would know they’re Joe’s and selling them would be difficult.

Remember, Joey C has a lot of mates …

“It takes just one person to hear about a rare and precious Gibson, Fender, Gretsch whatever and news spreads fast in collector land.

“Joe has lots of mates,’’ he reminds us.

“Forty-eight years ago, in Jo Jo Zep and The Falcons we used to joke with Joey about a game called ‘Maltese Monopoly’. The rules were simple; there were only two squares; GO and JAIL.’’

We think we know where Wilbur is going with this.

He does politely urge anyone who has the guitars to hand them in.

“Leave ‘em in a safe place, make an anonymous phone call.’’

So spread the word. Remember, Joe has mates.

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