Music West ’97 · The Benny Doro Collection
Chasing the Guitar Marathon Record
Robson Square · Vancouver · May 11, 1997
295 guitarists. One shared song. Vancouver’s 1994 world record in their sights.
01
The live record
The day 295 guitarists went after Vancouver’s record.
At Music West ’97, Black Diamond helped lead a Guitar Marathon built around a mass performance of “I Wanna Rock and Roll All Night.” The surviving film, photographs and Benny Doro’s narration preserve the event from inside the band’s story.
- Event
- Music West ’97 Guitar Marathon
- Place
- Robson Square, Vancouver
- Date
- May 11, 1997
- Turnout
- 295 guitarists
02
The record attempt
1,322 to beat.
A 1994 Vancouver guitar marathon had brought together 1,322 players for “Taking Care of Business,” establishing the mark the Music West event set out to challenge.
On May 11, 1997, 295 guitarists gathered at Robson Square around “I Wanna Rock and Roll All Night.” The turnout did not surpass the earlier record. Black Diamond led the crowd, and Bruce Kulick appeared as a guest.
Read the contemporary Drop-D reportBlack Diamond · Performance film · 13:35
The band leads
the marathon.
Preserved source footage, prepared for web viewing without altering the original recording.
03
The photographic record · 16 images
People and moments from the marathon.
Performance and event photographs preserved with the Music West material. Select an image to view it in full.
More from the surviving archive
04
Benny’s narration · 4:17
The story,
in Benny’s voice.
Original narration
Music West ’97
Personal recollection recorded by Benny Doro.
05
Archive note
What this chapter establishes.
The event date, location, turnout, earlier record, Black Diamond’s role and Bruce Kulick’s guest appearance are supported by a contemporary Drop-D report first published June 20, 1997.
Individual photograph identifications are supplied by Benny Doro and are presented as Collection documentation. The performance film, photographs and Benny’s narration remain the chapter’s primary archival records.