More Cowbell! Royal Oak Seeks To Set Ear-Ringing Guinness World Record

ROYAL OAK (AP) — The cowbells have been heard in suburban Detroit. Now it's up to Guinness World Records to determine if that's a record.

Organizers say 1,021 people rang cowbells Saturday in Royal Oak during the Cowbell Classic 10K and 5K run. Guinness says the cowbell ensemble record was set in Switzerland in 2009 with 640 people.

The event benefited the Royal Oak Historical Society. That's appropriate, since the area was home to a 19th century cowbell business.

There was a live performance of "(Don't Fear) The Reaper," a 1970s hit by Blue Oyster Cult. The song was featured in a 2000 "Saturday Night Live" sketch that was part of the inspiration to break the cowbell record.