The beat goes on: Teen, dad’s bid to set 12-hr world record for the longest drumming, percussion set
DRUMMING FOR GOLD: Father and son, both named Daniel Petersen
Daily Voice readers first met Daniel Petersen as a cute five-year-old with a magnificent gift for playing the drums.
And now the gifted teenager and his dad are amped for a first world record attempt, before he sets off for the United States to complete his studies in music.
Dad Daniel “Danny” and Daniel “Danno” Petersen are preparing for Heart Beat, a 12-hour world record attempt for the longest uninterrupted drumming and percussion session, at the SABC studios in Joburg on Valentine’s Day.
The pair are originally from Cape Town, but now live in Fourways in Gauteng.
The event will also serve as a fundraiser to support struggling local artists, the families of health workers who died during the Covid-19 pandemic, PureWild Fund, Afrika Tikkun and the Daniel Petersen III Foundation.
After this, Danno will complete his Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies at the Manhattan School of Music.
Danno said the event started as a way to say thank you to South Africans and to pay tribute to the great musicians who influenced him.
“Heart Beat is a tribute, a farewell celebration and a fundraiser. All I want to get out of it is happy hearts, financial contributions and memories that will last a lifetime,” he tells the Weekend Argus.
At the age of just 15, the drummer had already played on world stages like the World Trade Centre in New Orleans, at three of Nelson Mandela’s birthday celebrations and had the opportunity to play at one of the inauguration functions for former US president Barack Obama.
Danno was awarded a scholarship to study in the US and says he’s already passed his first semester, but due to the pandemic, had to do remote schooling.
The teen says he’s excited about going back to school and catching up with his friends.
“I want to finish my Bachelor’s degree in Jazz Studies at Manhattan School of Music, and from that point to further my education into film scoring,” he says.
Danny, who will play the percussion at the world record attempt, is hartseer to see his son go, but hopes they will be able to play together in future soon.
“While we might embrace the magic of Zoom or live-streaming to be able to play at the same time, we won’t be next to each other. We will be on other sides of our world,” he says.
The event will be aired live on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and SABC platforms.