World Record For Wroclaw: 7,000+ guitarists gathered in one place. (updated 2012)

On Friday May 1st a crowd of thousands assembled in Rynek. Among them 6,346 joined a host of guitar greats to play Hey Joe. The record was easily broken. The most guitar players.. in one place.. playing the same song. But it didn't end there. They also played Smoke on the Water and had Steve Morse play along with them.

On stage leading the record breaking attempt were some of the great and the good. They included Leszek Cichonski, Stan Skibby, Steve Morse and a number of others from around Poland and Europe.

Later in the day Cichonski's band played support to Deep Purple. With him were some of those who had played in Rynek. The number of people at the Deep Purple gig was probably a record too. At least for a gig in Wroclaw.

I was there and it was just amazing! never seen anything quite like it! the atmosphere was unique and then you could see guitarists in evey corner of the city!!

Unfortunately I couldn't get there. But they showed some of the event on the big screens, just before the Deep Purple gig started. I also noticed that a lot of those who had been playing in Rynek made their way straight to the Purple concert... guitar in hand.

With two great events, only hours apart, it was certainly a good day to be in Wroclaw.

Wasn't it last year? If so, I was there in Wrocław. It must be an annual thing.

Yes. It's been going on for about ten years.
The idea is to make it a worldwide event and create International Guitar Day.

This year was a treat because so many professional guitarists turned up.

I wonder if the 6,000+ realize who they played with and if the pros realize how many they played with.

There can't be that many members of the public, except in Wroclaw, who can say that they played Hey Joe with such a collection of guitarists as those who appeared on stage.

It was quite incredible when I was there. Sitting at Spiś or whatever that restaurant/bar is called. My friend Richard was there, he plays to a high standard.

found this:

I also notice that the record figure is different. I'll have to check it.

It all takes place again today.

I have no idea how many will turn up as we have rain forecast for this afternoon.

note.

SouthMancPolak, you've quoted me from last year.

I'd like to focus on this year.

However, there is usually a great mix of talent on stage and they do play different songs too.

We may yet hear Stairway to Heaven.

No, this must be forbidden, lol :)

I noticed something interesting.

the guests today are Ray Wilson and Stiltskin.

nothing special about that until you check the tour dates for this band and see how much time they spend in Poland. Also, the official website has a Polish forum.

there seems to be quite a few musicians maintaining links with Poland or Polish musicians

I've heard about this yes. Seems to be indeed an annual thing. A friend of mine went there, I think two or three years ago. He was very excited about it - don't know if he went this year, but since he's a guitarfreak, I wouldn't be surprised if he did.

And Skysoulmate, I fully agree: pls no more Stairway to heaven. I have horrormemories of all those friends of mine who want to show off their guitar skills and then they start playing that freaking Stairway for the 10.000th time :S Not like I haven't heard that one before...:(

>^..^<

M-G (well, if they all would burst out a "When the Levee breaks", now, that would be impressive:) )

Wroclaw fail to break the record

only 4,597 guitarists turned up this year.

i don't think it matters that much though as wroclaw was trying to break its own record.

Went for a few days holiday and photoshoot in Wroclaw this year. First afternoon walked round the corner to Rynek and wow! Thanks Jimmy concert was in full swing. Fantastic afternoon. Many photographs taken. Will certainly be going next year. Any ideas where I can get a stage photographers pass ?

this is from the hey joe website:

Kontakt: wrockfest@wrockfest.pl

MEDIA
Boom!Group
Anna Pupin
a.pupin@boom-group.pl

Thanks for contact re photographers pass, will give it a try for next year. This years photos still to be edited, will let you have link when uploaded to my website.

This is where I could join in and pretend to be a virtuouso ;) ;) It's just, my guitar playing wouldn't be heard :) :)

Thanks Jimy Festival 2010, first time there it was fantastic, will be there 2011. Link to photo's .imaginepoland.com/wroclawss/w04ThanksJimmy/index.html

5601 managed it this year.

i was more interested in Ten Years After who played later in the day, but as part of the Hey Joe guitar thingy. they were good.

World Record now over 7,000

The concert that followed the world record was headlined by Europe. And very good it was.

Guitar record attempt Wrocław 2014 news mmwroclaw.pl/472866/2014/3/17/gitarowy-rekord-guinnessa--we-wrocl awiu-kto-zagra-program-bilety?category=news