Records often fall during sports games. But earlier this week, the City of Pasadena (USA) joined with CONCACAF and others to break a record at halftime of a match: the most mariachis performing at once.
With Mexico and Panama tied 1-1 after 45 minutes in the 2013 Gold Cup's opening match Sunday, 566 mariachi performers strode to the sidelines of Pasadena's famed Rose Bowl, and readied their guitars, violins, and trumpets.
Once Guinness World Records official adjudicator Amanda Mochan gave them the thumbs up, the group - led by 11-year-old mariachi sensation Sebastien De La Cruz - began to play for the required minimum of 5 minutes. Their selection centered around the song "Cielito Lindo" and you can check out this on-field video of the attempt:
"It was definitely an experience I’ll never forget," Mochan said. "Witnessing this record attempt made me appreciate what an art form mariachi is, and I have such respect for the dedication and hard work the musicians put into their craft."
Legendary Mexican-American boxer Oscar De La Hoya was also in attendance, adding to his Guinness World Records history. His other achievements have come, of course, in or around the boxing ring, including having been named the highest career pay-per-view earner in boxing and having promoted the highest selling pay-per-view boxing match.
De La Hoya, middle
But the day belonged to the men and women making music. Supported by the consulates of Mexico and Panama, the City of Los Angeles, and Soccer United Marketing, the group toppled the previous record from April 2010, set at 555 mariachis in Tucson, Arizona, USA.
And while Panama went on to win the match in a surprising upset, 2-1, the greater history made happened just beyond the field.
