Zico Bar DJ in world record attempt

Jun 10 2009 by Graham Miller, Wishaw Press

SOME DJs are renowned for playing marathon sets – sometimes for as long as five hours at a time.

But Wishaw’s Zico Bar resident DJ Alan D is in the process of taking his art to a completely new level as he attempts to break the world record for the longest-ever DJ set.

The 30-year-old from Glasgow is currently DJing continually for a massive 125 hours – more than five whole days.

Alan is undertaking the Herculean task to raise money for Cancer Research UK, and has received advice and a set of strict rules from officials at Guinness, the world record authority.

“I’m totally confident that I’m going to smash the world record,” said Alan. “The current record is 116 hours. I’m planning to DJ continually for more than five days and won’t stop until I’ve done at least 125 hours.

“I hope to raise as much money as I can for Cancer Research UK in the process and anyone who would like to sponsor me can do so at www.justgiving.com/aland3000.”

Alan has prepared for the event by boosting his stamina levels through regular visits to the gym and has planned the record attempt very carefully.

“It’s not just a case of putting one record on after another,” Alan continued. “Each song must be properly mixed into the next and I’m not allowed to play the same track more than once every four hours, so I’ll be planning my set well ahead of the record attempt.

“I’m also only allowed a five- minute break for every hour that I play, so it’s exhausting. I am accumulating some of my time off and am able to have a couple of short naps, but it’s a real challenge.”

Alan, who regularly DJs at Zico’s is using the club as the venue for the attempt.

“I’m really grateful for the support of everyone at Zico Bar and to Errasys who have supplied all the equipment I’ll use. I couldn’t do it without their support. Staff at the venue are bringing me food and drink so I can keep the music going and I’m be able to have a little shut-eye but they’re making sure I keep to all the strict conditions laid down by Guinness.”

Alan’s record attempt began at 9pm last Sunday and, if things go to plan, he’ll beat the record on Friday evening, June 12, with help from a huge crowd at Zico Bar.

“We’ll be hosting a variety of fund-raising events at the club throughout the week,” said Alan.”So it’s absolutely vital I keep the music going constantly.”

Cancer Research UK’s Gary Kernahan said: “We’re really grateful to Alan for pledging to raise money for us during his epic effort and we wish him the very best of luck.”

Cancer Research UK is dedicated to research into the causes, prevention, diagnosis and treatment of every type of cancer. They fund over 4500 research scientists, doctors and nurses throughout the UK.

HIS RECORD ATTEMPT: Alan Duckett, who is pictured below, is aiming to DJ for 125 hours for Cancer Research UK.

ZICO BAR: the setting for the world record DJ attempt.JDWSH200409zicobar-1