IT STARTED with a low-key version of Dusty Springfield's Son of a Preacher Manand ended 114 hours and 20 minutes later with the U2 classic With or Without You.
Dublin musician Dave Browne’s world record for the longest continuous guitar-playing session was met with scenes of jubilation at The Temple Bar pub in Dublin yesterday morning, and the palpable relief of bleary-eyed staff at the bar, which had remained open non-stop for his marathon five-day gig.
Browne had been rocking around the clock since 4pm on Sunday, playing an average of 12 pieces of music per hour, with no longer than 30-second breaks between songs.
He eclipsed the former record of 113 hours, held by Argentinian guitarist Guillermo Terraza, shortly after 9am while playing When Loves Comes to Townby BB King.
The exhausted guitarist finally put down his instrument an hour and 20 minutes later, having played a total of 1,372 tracks, mainly rock, blues and trad tunes.
“The whole thing just snowballed. I am absolutely ecstatic. It feels surreal,” Browne said after his mammoth session.
The musician, who has been gigging at the bar for more than 10 years, has played with a number of well-known acts including the Dubliners, Aslan and the Pogues.
The inspiration behind his record bid stemmed from a disaffection with the music industry, he said, and a desire “to return to simply playing the guitar”.
According to rules set by the Guinness World Record authorities, he was allowed a 30-second break between songs, which had to be recognisable, published music lasting at least two minutes.
He was afforded a five-minute break every hour which he was allowed roll into a 40-minute rest every eight hours, enabling him to power-nap, eat, shower and change.
His record-breaking guitarathon brings the total number of Irish record holders to 135, according to a Guinness World Record spokeswoman.
Other Irish musical bests include Westlife who hold the record for the most consecutive number ones in the United Kingdom charts, and U2 who boast the record for the largest screen at a pop concert.
