Guitarists play “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door” together at Sinatra Park in Hoboken in 2013.
In 2007, 1,802 guitarists gathered in Leinfelden-Echterdingen, Germany to play Deep Purple’s “Smoke on the Water.” On July 23, an attempt to break that record will take place at Sinatra Park in Hoboken, with a mass strum-along to Bob Dylan’s “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door.” Those who play mandolins, ukuleles or other string instruments are welcome to join in as well.
There is no admission charge. More information is available on Facebook. The rain date is July 26.
The Hoboken music store, Guitar Bar, is organizing the event. It did the same thing in 2013 and 2014; 250 people showed up the first year, 400 the second. (Check out a video from 2013, below.)
“Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door” will be part of an entire evening of group participation numbers. Other songs to be performed include The Beatles’ “Love Me Do,” Taylor Swift’s “Shake It Off,” Creedence Clearwater Revival’s “Bad Moon Rising” and Neil Young’s “Rockin’ in the Free World.” Tutorials on how to play some of these songs are posted on the Facebook page.
In the more immediate future, Guitar Bar’s uptown extension, Guitar Bar Jr., will host a Potluck Dinner Show July 12 featuring Jill Sobule and Long Neck. Those bringing food will receive a discount on their tickets.
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