“We did it, you were with me ever beat.” wrote Andrew WK as he completed his marathon world record attempt for the longest drum session held in a retail store.
During the 24 hours, Andrew WK was aided in this rhythmic feat of endurance, joined by an amazing collection of drummers, including Chad Smith (Red Hot Chili Peppers), Marky Ramone (The Ramones), The Roots band leader and drummer Questlove, Zac Hanson (Hanson), Liberty DeVitto (former drummer for Billy Joel) and more including Cuba Gooding Jr.
Questlove rejoined the drumathon to help Andrew WK stay motivated as he crossed the 24 hour mark and landed literally into the record books.
The audacious plan from the musician, motivational speaker and all-around Party King is part of a stunt to promote the O Music Awards. Now in their fourth year, the celebration of music, tech and fans will transform itself in 2013 into a 24-hour online live music festival featuring more than 50 bands, a ton of awards, and the day-long drumathon.
WE DID IT!!! 24 HOURS OF DRUMMING!!! Remember… I didn't do it, WE did it. You were with me every beat. I feel very emotional and party.
— ANDREW WK (@AndrewWK) June 20, 2013
An official from the Guiness Book Of World REcords was on hand for the attempt, and awarded Andrew WK the record at the completion of the 24 hours, around 9am AEST this morning. An exhausted Andrew WK barely had any voice left, but managed to thank “all the people that play drums, and everybody can play drums, me included.”
Andrew WK revealed earlier in the week that he’d taken a break from partying to prepare for the amazing feat, and told The Hollywood Reporter that he’s been practicing air drumming with weights instead of sticks. “I want to feel like it’s harder than it is,” he said. “I’d rather be over-prepared.”
“Some of these I would consider the greatest drummers in the world,” he says. “People that I’ve admired for years and years.”“It wasn’t really until four days ago that it really hit me –- like wait a minute, that’s a really long time, that’s a full day. It’s not as long as a year or even 48 hours, but I realized it’s not like drumming for 24 minutes or even 12 hours; it’s going to be very challenging.”
“That sort of changed my whole point of view from being very excited to still being very excited but also very intimidated.”
“Just doing anything for 24 hours is a feat of endurance. Staying up for 24 hours you go into a very interesting space. But I’ve done that many times, so I think having long bouts of wakefulness under my belt is gonna [help]. Also I did another feat of endurance. It was meant to be a 24-hour autograph signing in Tokyo, but it ended up becoming 36 hours. I did make it through that.”
Last year, organisers of the awards enlisted Wayne Coyne and The Flaming Lips to break the Guinness World Record for the most live shows in 24 hours in multiple cities.
