Guitar Guinness World Record 2012: a tenth anniversary with Europe, Marcus Miller and Leon Hendrix

1 MAY 2012

The record still standing today was set in Wrocław in 2009, when 6346 guitarists played Jimi Hendrix's “Hey Joe” together. The first Guinness Record attempt for collective guitar playing took place in 2003 and gathered 588 people.

Two years ago, 4597 guitarists participated in the Guinness Guitar Record. A year later, in 2011, “Hey Joe” rang out from 5601 guitars. Despite strong American competition, the world's three best results belong to Poland.

This time, guitarists will play “Hey Joe” simultaneously in Wrocław's Market Square and, at Leszek Cichoński's special invitation, in Norway, Sweden, Italy and, despite the time difference, Australia.

To mark its 10th anniversary, Thanks Jimi Festival, which hosts the Guinness Guitar Record attempt, will last two days, 1 and 2 May. On the first day, guitarists in Wrocław's Market Square will attempt to break the World Record together. This will be followed by a Concert of Stars on Wyspa Słodowa, culminating in a performance by the legendary Europe, creators of hits such as “The Final Countdown” and “Carrie”.

The following day, Słodowa Island will host, among others, Marcus Miller, one of the world’s finest bassists. Artists taking part in the Guinness Guitar Record will include Whitesnake guitarist Bernie Marsden, guitarist and singer Gwyn Ashton, leading Jimi Hendrix-style guitarist Stan Skibby, Muniek Staszczyk, Wojciech Pilichowski, Tomek Lipa Lipnicki, Michał Urbaniak and Michał Jelonek.

Participants in this year's Guinness Guitar Record will be able to buy tickets for Thanks Jimi Festival concerts at 30 zł for a 1-day ticket and 40 zł for a 2-day pass. A guitar storage facility will be available, allowing guitarists to leave their instruments for up to 2 days.

THANKS JIMI FESTIVAL 2012 PROGRAMME

SUNDAY, 29 April 2012

Łykend Music Club, Podwale 37/38 – Festival Club

18.00 Guitar workshops with the Rock & Heavy Metal School and Leszek Cichoński, plus a guitar jam session

MONDAY, 30 April 2012

Łykend Music Club, Podwale 37/38 – Festival Club

20.00 TRIBUTE TO NALEPA concert: Mizia & Mizia Blues Band, plus a guitar jam session

TUESDAY, 1 May 2012

Market Square Guinness Guitar Record

10.00 – Event begins, participant registration opens

10.05–13.00 – Concerts by invited artists

13.00–15.45 – Rehearsals and learning to play together, performing festival songs with guitar stars

15.45 – Participant registration closes

15.50 – Dress rehearsal for playing “Hey Joe” together with the invited stars

16.00 – Official attempt to set a new Guitar Guinness World Record

approx. 16.15 – Official result announced

Around 16.20 – Wrocław, City of the Guitar! We play an encore!

16.30–17.00 – walk to Wyspa Słodowa