This month we celebrate Chilly Gonzales’ World Record breaking performance 4 years ago, when he beat his inner self, played the piano for 27 hours, 3 minutes and 44 seconds and entered the Guinness Book of World Records. In honour of this occasion, we give you an insight into our archives and show you a collection of photos that I took during the event. They may not be examples of great photographic art, but they visualise the special atmosphere and eternalise a concert that wasn’t only legendary because of its length, but because of the inspiration and tacit message it spread.
You can also read my full experience report. For the visual short story, please find our selection of pics below and click on each one of them if you like.
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- The Judge. Zero hour.
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- First change of seating furniture after 2 hours. The armchair from Gonzales’ living room almost got stuck in the backstage door.
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- As if playing the piano for 27 hours wasn’t enough: a self-chosen chicane. Chilly Wonder.
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- Pyjama Party after 6 hours. He might wear a night cap, but the playing still was spot-on.
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- As a professional party animal (DJ; amongst others), Teki Latex probably runs full speed in the early morning hours – whereas at this point Chilly Gonzales slowed down a little. After a chat and a bowl of Cheerios (!), the 3rd audience (which changed every three hours) got the accustomed Gonzo quality. I had a French breakfast (coffee and croissant) and my first energy drink, which later became a sought-after article of exchange…
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- After 10 hours, it was time for a proper morning toilet. A fussy coiffeur gave him an oldschool shaving, cut his hair and blow-dried it on stage, while Gonzo played Othello for the first time publicly – 3,5 years before it got released on Solo Piano II.
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- Almost half-time. Gonzales wearing a Sunday jumper and exhaustion in his face. Notice the next seat change and his preference for red sitting accomodations.
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- Arielle Dombasle pantomiming “Somewhere Over The Rainbow” played in a special “reversed” version. As he ran for the world record for longest solo concert nobody else was allowed to contribute music – that’s why Dombasle found her own way of supporting Gonzales, who seemed really amused.
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- Alone again, another 10 hours to go. Only a bouquet of flowers remains from Arielle Dombasle’s whirlwind performance.
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- At this point Gonzales had already suffered from several cramps and the fight against the inner self became more and more severe.
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- Great black hawk still up.
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- A young artist portrayed Chilly Gonzales while he was breaking the record and the result looked just great!
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- After the “24 hours done”-celebrations all alone again with a confetti crown on his head.
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- His manager Melinda, who also stayed for the whole attempt, blindfolds the aspirant – for the 3rd time.
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- The moment when Chilly Gonzales turns the existing world record into a record of the past after 26 hours and 12 minutes.
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- Purple confetti rain, emotions and joy everywhere.
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- The Judge watching. There’s only one question invisibly floating through the room: For how long will he go on?
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- Getting closer to 27 hours – on yet another chair.
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- 27 hours, 3 minutes and 44 seconds!
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- As blurry as this pic may be – you can still see and feel the pride, joy and happiness in Gonzales’ face (oh, and Teki Latex in the background). A new Guinness World Record holder is born.