DJ and producer Paul Richards, known professionally as Ridney, will attempt to set a Guinness World Record for visiting the most vinyl record stores in 24 hours. The challenge begins at 11 AM on October 14, with Ridney traveling across the south coast of England, stopping in cities including Brighton, Worthing, Shoreham-by-Sea, and finishing in his hometown of Southampton. At each stop, he plans to purchase one album.
Celebrating Local Record Stores
Speaking to the Daily Echo, Ridney said the attempt is as much about awareness as it is about records:
“We’re lucky to have some great stores in Southampton and I really want to celebrate them. There’s places shutting and under threat all the time and I really want to fly the flag for music makers and their great businesses before this stuff isn’t here for our children. This incredible community of vinyl retailers continue to keep music culture alive across the UK.”
Supported by His Label and Witnesses
Along the journey, Ridney will be accompanied by members of his independent label, Paharas Musica, as well as independent witnesses who will verify each visit and purchase for the official record submission.
A History of Music World Records
The attempt follows a series of recent Guinness World Records in electronic music. In September, Italian collector Marco Brusadelli earned recognition for owning the world’s largest collection of nightclub and rave flyers: 113,012 officially counted of nearly 120,000. In 2023, Dutch DJ Reinier Zonneveld set the record for the longest solo DJ set at 11 hours and 11 minutes, while José Roberto “Zero” Alves Freitas of Brazil remains the holder of the largest vinyl collection, with over 8 million records.
Flying the Flag for Vinyl Culture
Known for releases on labels such as Defected, Toolroom, Armada, Perfecto, and Spinnin’, Ridney says his record attempt is a way to spotlight the passion and resilience of the UK’s vinyl community. His journey aims to honor the record shops that continue to serve as vital hubs for artists, collectors, and music lovers alike.