May 1, 2009 saw 6,346 guitar players join together to play the Jimi Hendrix hit "Hey Joe" and more than tripled the standing record for "Largest Guitar Ensemble" of 2,052 set last year in Concord, California. The event took place in the historic center of Wroclaw, Poland - a city which has taken on the title of "Wroclaw Guitar City" - a title that seems merited. In fact, the Mayor, Rafał Dutkiewicz, was among those playing, as was Deep Purple guitarist Steve Morse and festival founder and director, Leszek Cichoński. Cichoński is a well-known musician and music educator in Poland and the festival was an outgrowth of one of his educational programs and has taken place - and grown - annually since 2003. Beyond the 6,346 guitar players, there were thousands of spectators and supporters in the Wrocław city center as well as other guitar players taking part online and in coordinated events in Sweden,
the US, Canada and Australia (though those do not count towards the record). One of the objectives of the organizers is to establish May 1st as "World Guitar Day" and more coordinated simultaneous events are planed for next year and beyond.
Now it is the German's turn as they make their attempt on May 10th in Mainz.
source: cichonski.art.pl
Further information at:
www.myspace.com/thanksjimifest
Pobilismy rekord Guinnessa...
Lennart "Lelle" Persson Nybro
www.guitarworld.com
