Guitarists Sought For Ealing World Record Attempt

Join hundred of others and play 'Heroes' in aid of Brain Tumor charity

Ealing could find its way into the record books in July as hundreds of guitarists will gather to play 'Heroes', by David Bowie, in an attempt to break the Guinness World Record.

Joining them on the day will be Laurence Knight, lead singer of the tribute band, The Bowie Experience.

The event has been organised by Dave Pile, a lifelong guitar player who lost his mother, June, to a brain tumour in March 2013.

The Great Guitar Challenge, which will take place at the annual Ealing Blues Festival on July 22nd, is in aid of the pioneering charity Brain Tumour Research which funds research into the devastating disease.

The current world record was achieved by Sky Group (India) in January 2013 when 368 participants assembled at the Agri Expo in Dimapur, India. Dave is recruiting 450 guitarists to help him break this record and raise vital funds for Brain Tumour Research.

Dave said: “My idea to break a world record came about two years after losing my mum to a brain tumour. I’ve been raising money for Brain Tumour Research over the last year or so but this latest venture is proving to be the toughest!

 “I chose the David Bowie song because the hook ‘we can be Heroes’ is an apt reference to all the people that are signing up to help with the challenge. Together we can make a difference to research into brain tumours.

“It saddens me that so little is known about this disease and that less than 20% of those diagnosed with a brain tumour survive beyond five years compared with an average of 50% across all cancers.”

June, from Nuneaton, died aged 72 in 2013 following a short and gruelling battle with a glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) – a highly aggressive type of tumour. Despite surgery to remove part of the tumour and subsequent chemotherapy and radiotherapy, June died less than six months later.

Supporting Dave’s world record attempt is Blackstar Amplification, producers of guitar amplifiers and effect units. As official sponsors of the Great Guitar Challenge, Blackstar will provide every participant with a new Blackstar Fly 3 micro amp to use and keep.

Joel Richardson, Head of Marketing at Blackstar Amplification, added: “When we heard about Dave’s world record attempt, we instantly wanted to be involved, 450 electric guitarists playing Heroes en masse is going to be incredible. What’s more, it’s all for a great cause.”

Michael Thelwall, Head of Community Fundraising for Brain Tumour Research, said: “Dave’s world record attempt in aid of Brain Tumour Research is going to be spectacular and I hope it will raise awareness of how underfunded research into the disease is.

 “Brain tumours kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer – and less than 20% of those diagnosed with a brain tumour survive beyond five years compared with an average of 50% across all cancers – yet just 1% of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to this devastating disease.

“We are extremely grateful to Dave for fundraising and we wish him, and everyone else in involved, the best of luck for the world record attempt.”

Guitarists can register for the event via Eventbrite; the ticket price includes a donation to Brain Tumour Research and entitles participants to a new Blackstar Fly £ micro-amp, a t-shirt to mark the event and a free day’s entry to the Ealing Blues Festival.

For more information, visit www.greatguitarchallenge.com

8th May 2018