English Section

7,531 guitarists play Hendrix in Polish city, fail to break record

06.05.2024 06:00
A mass gathering of guitarists failed to beat the Guinness world record for ensemble guitar playing when 7,531 musicians got together in the southwestern Polish city of Wrocław to play Jimi Hendrix’s hit “Hey Joe” on May 1.
Guitar players gather in Wrocławs market square on May 1, 2024.
Guitar players gather in Wrocław's market square on May 1, 2024.Photo: PAP/Maciej Kulczyński

The gathering, which included Chris Jagger, brother of The Rolling Stones' Mick Jagger, British guitarist Phil Bates and American guitarist Neil Zaza, came short of the 7,967 record set last year at the annual Thanks Jimi Festival, a tribute to the legendary rock musician who died in London in 1970.

The first Thanks Jimi Festival in 2003 saw 588 guitarists turn up in Wrocław’s market square for the event originated by musician Leszek Cichoński after he once found himself on stage playing Hendrix music with 17 other guitarists at a blues workshop.

Past guest performers at the festival have included American guitar virtuosos Al Di Meola and Scott Henderson and musicians from the British bands Status Quo and Dire Straits.

This year’s gathering also featured popular Polish musicians Jan Borysewicz, Małgorzata Ostrowska and Wojciech Waglewski, Polish state news agency PAP reported.

(gs)

Source: PAP