It’s official – Virgin Balloon Flights and one of our pilots are double world record holders after hosting a fantastic concert in the sky.

Guinness World Records have confirmed that a gig by rock band The Girls in the basket of a soaring Virgin balloon earlier this year, created not one, but two new records. And we have the certificates to prove it!

The successful flight, piloted by Mark ‘Nobby’ Simmons on May 31 2006, saw the group perform for two lucky fans 6,063ft (1,848m) above England’s West Country, securing the accolade for ‘the highest concert ever in a hot air balloon’.

Not content with that, The Girls - who were assisted by special guests including ex-Massive Attack star Andrew ‘Mushroom’ Vowles on turntables - also laid down a special track called ‘What I Did Today’ which became ‘the highest song recorded in a hot air balloon’.

Every aspect of the attempt, organised for an extreme recording feature by Future Music Magazine, was photographed and filmed so the evidence could be reviewed before the records got the thumbs up.

Guinness World Records Editor Craig Glenday congratulated everyone involved.
"We're not just talking here about some bloke sawing away on his violin in a hot-air balloon; this was a bona fide concert by a full band,” he said.

“Tickets were issued, as per Guinness World Records guidelines, and a full-on gig performed. It's no mean feat to get a double bass into the air by balloon, let alone all the other instruments, recording equipment, and audience!”

Pilot Mark landed the balloon perfectly in Westbury, Wiltshire, an hour after taking off from VBF’s Royal Victoria Park launch site in Bath, Somerset. There, watched by a large crowd, the balloon’s 16-man basket had been crammed with all manner of recording equipment, wires and instruments, including guitars, a drum kit and a double base.

Mark, who flies passengers in Somerset, Herefordshire, Wiltshire and South Wales, said: “I’m delighted that the records have been made official. It was definitely one of the strangest flights I’ve done, but it was fantastic. The Girls and their special guests performed brilliantly in very unusual circumstances.

“We’re now planning our next stunt, which could be another world record attempt, so keep your eyes peeled in 2007,” he added.