Kal Korff

The Guitar Hero of Libyas Rebels

by Kal K. Korff
Internationally Syndicated Copyright 2011 by Kal K. Korff - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Note: This article contains the original unedited text. As National Transitional Council soldiers closed in on the last stronghold of former dictator Muammar Gaddafis home city of Sirte, a surreal scene broke out as one of the rebels suddenly started playing his acoustic guitar and singing songs while the gunbattle blazed around him. Captured by AFP photographer Aris Messinis, this now iconic image has already made the history books and has been circulating widely on Facebook and worldwide television. According to Messinis, in remarks he made to Londons Channel 4 news, the rebel guitar hero wannabe was trying to offer encouragement to his fellow fighters, by strumming his instrument and belting out some songs. Despite his musical efforts, he was drowned out by the sound of fierce gunfire and automatic weapons as the armed soldiers of the new Libyan transitional government stormed Sirte in large numbers and outgunned the last remainder of Gaddafis loyalists. Messinis said that the guitarist did not actually participate in any fighting. Instead, he braved the gunfire and got close to his comrades and tried to keep them motivated with his singing and playing to keep pushing on. Messinis told Channel 4 that he was some 50 feet away but despite the close distance, could not hear any of the music in detail. 1.0v1 Oct 21, 2011 Kal K. Korff is an officially accredited internationally known author, columnist and investigative journalist.

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