Jimi Hendrix

Guitar Record 2006

Thanks Jimi Festival – a tribute to Hendrix.

Thanks Jimi Festival Thanks Jimi Festival 1581 guitars played Jimi Hendrix's blues-rock hit 'Hey Joe' at the Old Town Wroclaw, Poland on the last 1st may 2006. This event sets a new Guinness' World Record for the largest number of guitars simultaneously playing same song. This was the fourth attempt: last year 1201 guitars participated in the event. The previous record (1555 guitars) belonged to the american guitar maker Epiphone.

The Wroclaw attempt took place within the 'Thanks Jimi Festival' dedicated to the world's most known guitarist's music - Jimi Hendrix, organized by the initiative of Leszek Cichonski - a renowned musician and music educator from Wroclaw, Poland, who has set himself a goal of teaching a new Hendrix's song every year.

Thanks Jimi Festival 1581 guitars from all over Poland, as well as from countries like Germany, the Netherlands, Hungary, Sweden and the USA, gathered at the Old Town Square in Wroclaw despite the rain falling persistently since the day before. Until the last moment the weather forecasts were not optimistic, putting the whole event in danger but just before the general rehearsal (electric & acoustic guitars tuning) by 3 p.m. the rain suddenly stopped. When at 4 p.m. the orchestra conducted by Leszek Cichonski performed 'Hey Joe' the Sun was shining! Thanks to... Jimi? Many great guitar players as Hiram Bullock, Class Yngstrom, Rudy Cronfuss, Egon Poka and Polish masters: Dariusz Kozakiewicz, Marek Raduli featured the concert . Additionally, the world's largest guitar orchestra performed the hits: 'Little Wing', 'Red House', 'Wild Thing' , as well as Cichonski's own 'Thanks Jimi'.

Thanks Jimi Festival The idea was born nearly ten years ago during the summer blues guitar workshop held by Cichonski in Zakrzewo, when the 16 participants played together 'Hey Joe' for the first time. The idea to play this song by hundreds of guitars was brewing for many years.

Despite the record has been set the 'Thanks Jimi Festival' will be continued in the next years.

More information and photo galleries you’ll find here www.cichonski.art.pl .

Pictures courtesy of Leszek Cichonski

 

Leszek Cichonski
Leszek Cichonski Homepage
Guitar Record 2007
Guitar Record 2006
Guitar Record 2005
Pictures of 2005
Guitar Record 2004
Pictures of 2004
Guitar Record 2003 - Videos
Hey Joe Guitar Record 2003 - Pictures - Wroclaw, Poland
Jimi Hendrix's super hit "Hey Joe" guitarz-for-ever.com
Leszek Cichonski - Thanks Jimi Grooveyard Records