Is it tomorrow, or just the end of time?

If you play electric guitar, you know that you owe a debt of gratitude to one of the most innovative geniuses to ever tune up and turn on. Yes, we’re talking Jimi.
Now, imagine that more than 3000 guitarists, recognizing the unprecedented contribution that Jimi made to guitar music, gather at Golden Gate Park to create the world’s largest guitar ensemble ever assembled, for the purpose of playing “Purple Haze.”
Got that? Is that a psychedelic enough vision for you? Well this “dream” is coming true Sunday October 25 at Golden Gate Park’s Speedway Meadows, in a 40th Anniversary of Woodstock celebration called “West Fest.” And heck yeah you’re invited!
As is becoming more and more frequent, Petaluma musicians are the leading lights of just about everything cool happening on the music scene — in this case, Petaluma Junior High School Music Director Preston Bailey will be conducting a rehearsal for the “Purple Haze” guitar orchestra Guinness Book of World Records attempt at the Phoenix Theater on Saturday September 19th, from 1:00PM to 4:00PM.
Preston, a powerful force for good in the musical community, plays every instrument you can think of, including really loud guitar — he proved that at Zone Music’s “Jimi Hendrix Birthday Bash” held last year on Jimi’s birthday, November 27th.
The “Birthday Bash” featured 10 guitarists, 2 drummers and 2 bass players, performing Purple Haze at 150 decibels — loud enough to be heard in heaven…(and in most of Cotati, Rohnert Park and Penngrove).
Now, imagine 3000 guitarists. As Jimi said “you got me blowing, blowing my mind.”
This vision of musical majesty is the brainchild of Steve Roby – Hendrix historian, teacher, musician and media mentor. You’re intrigued, aren’t you? Hey, check it out at www.steveroby.com and you’ll see that this is a serious tribute, and a serious world record attempt. And it promises to be a really good time!
You can register to participate online (at Steve’s site, above) or at the rehearsal — once again: Music Director and loud guitar conductor Preston Bailey will lead a rehearsal of Purple Haze at the Phoenix Theater on Saturday September 19, from 1:00PM to 4:00PM — it’s free, it’s way cool, and as Jimi would say “I’m actin’ funny, but I don’t know why – ‘scuse me while I kiss the sky!”