‘Louie, Louie’ on 1,000 guitars? Me gotta go!

  • By Sharon Wootton / Special to The Herald
  • Thursday, August 26, 2004 9:00pm
  • LifeGo-See-Do

It’s party time when guitar players by the hundreds gather for music, a classic car show, auction, and an attempt to set a Guinness world record for the largest guitar ensemble playing a single song.

LouieFest/1000 Guitars will be Saturday and Sunday in the Tacoma Dome.

The record that has to be broken was set in 1992 by 1,342 guitarists in Canada playing Bachman Turner Overdrive’s “Taking Care of Business.”

“We want to break the record so badly that the only people who can touch it again are us, next year,” event spokeswoman Stacy Emerson said.

Although more than 700 guitarists gathered at Cheney Stadium last year to play “Louie Louie” more-or-less at the same time, Guinness did not recognize the effort as a record.

“If they had acknowledged every ensemble playing ‘Inna Gada Da Vida’ or ‘Mary Had a Little Lamb,’ they’d have to have a bigger book,” Emerson said.

(There are but three chords to “Louie Louie,” and participants can learn the song at Louie Camp on Saturday.)

Organizers have tapped into a wealth of talent. Bands playing a broad range of music will play on five indoor and outdoor stages. Vendors will sell a long list of music-related items, although not food or beverages.

The record-breaking attempt will be Sunday afternoon, led by a main stage with about 25 of the best Northwest axe players, including:

Nokie Edwards, ex-lead guitarist of The Ventures, who started HitchHiker Guitars.

Nick Vigarino, Snohomish County musician who earned the “Best Slide Guitarist” award from Washington Blues Society.

Jerry Miller, ex-Moby Grape musician.

Roger Fisher, the original guitarist for Heart.

Nicole Fournier, one of finest blues guitar players who fronts her own blues group.

Alice Stuart, World-recognized guitar-playing singer and songwriter.

Rontrose Heathman, Famed guitar god of the SuperSuckers.

Danny O’Keefe, who has traveled over the world with several hits and wrote “Good Time Charlie’s Got the Blues.”

John Hanford, Wailers’ guitar player who has a doctorate in music.

Tom Boyle, winner of the Washington Blues Society’s Best Electric Guitarist award for 2003, didn’t attend last year’s effort.

“I thought it was kind of dumb to stand around with 1,000 guitar players. And I had a gig the night before, out of town … then I saw all these guys that I knew were doing it and thought, ‘Maybe it’s not so dumb.’”

Boyle’s band, Becki Sue and her Big Rockin’ Daddies! will play on Sunday.

Boyle teaches at Capital City Guitars at night.

He heard “Louie Louie” growing up in Lakewood on the “only” radio station, KJR, with Pat O’Day.

But can 1,000 or more guitarists really play one song at the same time?

“Probably not,” Boyle said.

“There will be professionals and the guy who only plays once a month and knows ‘Louie Louie’ … It’s going to be scary.”

LouieFest/1000 Guitars

When: Saturday and Sunday

Where: Tacoma Dome

Register: 888-280-5870; www.1000guitars.org.

Record attempt: About 3:30 p.m. Sunday; register prior to 10 a.m. Sunday.

Tickets: $15 two-day pass in advance, $10 one-day pass; or $20 guitarist fee with admission and a guest pass, T-shirt; children 12 and under free; 206-628-0888.

LouieFest/1000 Guitars

When: Saturday and Sunday

Where: Tacoma Dome

Register: 888-280-5870; www.1000guitars.org.

Record attempt: About 3:30 p.m. Sunday; register prior to 10 a.m. Sunday.

Tickets: $15 two-day pass in advance, $10 one-day pass; or $20 guitarist fee with admission and a guest pass, T-shirt; children 12 and under free; 206-628-0888.

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