Mark Knopfler
Background information
Born	August 12, 1949 (1949-08-12) (age 58) in Glasgow, Scotland
Origin	Newcastle, England
Genre(s)	Rock, Celtic rock, Country, Blues
Instrument(s)	Electric guitar, acoustic guitar, classical guitar, vocals
Years active	1965[1]–present
Label(s)	Vertigo, Mercury, Warner
Associated acts	Dire Straits, The Notting Hillbillies
Website	MarkKnopfler.com
Notable instrument(s)
Fender Stratocaster

Mark Freuder Knopfler OBE (born August 12, 1949, Glasgow, Scotland) is a British guitarist, singer, songwriter, and film score composer. Image File history File links Size of this preview: 400 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (683 × 1024 pixel, file size: 78 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) (All user names refer to nl. ... is the 224th day of the year (225th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1949 (MCMXLIX) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... For other uses, see Glasgow (disambiguation). ... This article is about the country. ... This article is about a city in the United Kingdom. ... For other uses, see England (disambiguation). ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... This article is about the genre. ... Celtic rock is a genre of folk rock which incorporates Celtic music, instrumentation and themes. ... Country music is a blend of popular musical forms originally found in the Southern United States and the Appalachian Mountains. ... Blues music redirects here. ... A musical instrument is a device constructed or modified for the purpose of making music. ... Two different electric guitars. ... Acoustic guitar can refer to the following musical instruments: Nylon and gut stringed guitars: Renaissance guitar Baroque guitar Romantic guitar Classical guitar, the modern version of the original guitar, with nylon strings Flamenco guitar Steel stringed guitars: Steel-string acoustic guitar, also known as western, folk or country guitar Twelve... Spanish guitar redirects here. ... In music a singer or vocalist is a type of musician who sings, i. ... In the music industry, a record label can be a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. ... Vertigo Records was the name Philips Records chose in the sixties for its record label to counter the progressive labels of its rivals EMI (with Harvest Records) and Decca Records (with Deram Records). ... Mercury Records is a record label currently headquartered in the UK, and is a subsidiary of Universal Music Group. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... This article is about the band. ... The Notting Hillbillies was a country project formed by Dire Straits’ singer / guitarist Mark Knopfler with Brendan Croker, Steve Phillips, and Guy Fletcher. ... The Mark Knopfler Fender Stratocaster has an ash body, a 1962 C-shape maple neck with a rosewood fingerboard. ... The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is a British order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by King George V. The Order includes five classes in civil and military divisions; in decreasing order of seniority, these are Knight Grand Cross or Dame Grand Cross (GBE) Knight Commander... is the 224th day of the year (225th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1949 (MCMXLIX) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... For other uses, see Glasgow (disambiguation). ... This article is about the country. ... For the UK magazine, see Guitarist (magazine). ... For other uses, see Singer (disambiguation). ... A songwriter is someone who writes the lyrics to songs, the musical composition or melody to songs, or both. ... For the record label, see Film Score Monthly. ...

Knopfler was originally best-known as the lead guitarist and vocalist for the English rock band, Dire Straits, which he co-founded in 1977 with his brother David. Following the dissolution of Dire Straits in 1995, Knopfler has continued to record and produce albums as a solo artist, under his own name. Occasionally, Knopfler has played in other groups, such as the The Notting Hillbillies; as well, he has guested on works by other artists, including Bob Dylan, Bryan Ferry, Eric Clapton, John Fogerty, Jools Holland, Steely Dan, Emmylou Harris and Chet Atkins. He has produced albums for artists such as Tina Turner, Randy Newman and Bob Dylan. In addition, he has scored the music to several films, including Local Hero, Cal, Last Exit to Brooklyn, Wag the Dog, and Rob Reiner's classic, The Princess Bride.^[2] Lead guitar refers to a role within a popular music band, especially a rock band, that provides melody or melodic material, as opposed to the rhythm of the rhythm guitar, bass, and drums. ... In music a singer or vocalist is a type of musician who sings, i. ... Rock is a form of popular music, usually featuring vocals (often with vocal harmony), electric guitars, and a strong back beat; other instruments, such as the saxophone, are common in some styles, however saxophones have been omitted from newer subgenres of rock music since the 90s. ... This article is about the band. ... David Knopfler (born December 27, 1952 in Glasgow) is a Scottish guitarist, singer and songwriter. ... The Notting Hillbillies was a country project formed by Dire Straits’ singer / guitarist Mark Knopfler with Brendan Croker, Steve Phillips, and Guy Fletcher. ... This article is about the recording artist. ... Bryan Ferry (born 26 September 1945 in Washington, Tyne and Wear) is an English singer, musician, songwriter and occasional actor famed for his suave visual and vocal style, who came to public prominence in the 1970s as lead vocalist and principal songwriter with Roxy Music, with whom he became well... Eric Patrick Clapton, CBE[2] (born 30 March 1945) [3], nicknamed Slowhand, is a Grammy Award-winning English rock guitarist, singer, songwriter and composer. ... This article is about the musician. ... Julian Miles Holland, OBE, DL (born 24 January 1958 in Blackheath, South East London) is an English virtuoso pianist, bandleader, television presenter, architectural eccentric and pop music enthusiast. ... Steely Dan is a Grammy-Award winning American jazz rock band centered on core members Walter Becker and Donald Fagen. ... Emmylou Harris (born April 2, 1947, Birmingham, Alabama) is a country, folk, alternative rock, and alternative country musician. ... This article is about the musician. ... Tina Turner (born Anna Mae Bullock) November 26, 1939) is an 11 time Grammy Award-winning (sharing three), American Singer, Dancer, Record Producer, Executive Producer, Film Producer, Actress, Writer, Performer, Songwriter, Author and occasional Painter whose career has spanned from 1956 to present. ... For the boxer, see Randy Neumann. ... This article is about the recording artist. ... Local Hero is a 1983 Scottish comedy film starring Peter Riegert, Denis Lawson and Burt Lancaster. ... Cal is a 1984 British film based on a novel written by Bernard MacLaverty who also wrote the script. ... Cover of the 1988 Grove Press reissue of Last Exit to Brooklyn Last Exit to Brooklyn is a 1964 novel by American author Hubert Selby Jr. ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... Robert Rob Reiner (born March 6, 1945) is an American actor, director, producer, writer, childrens advocate and political activist. ... The Princess Bride is a 1987 film, based on the 1973 novel The Princess Bride by William Goldman, combining comedy, adventure, romance and fantasy. ...

He is one of the most respected fingerstyle guitarists of the modern rock era. Knopfler was ranked #27 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of "100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time".^[3] Fingerstyle guitar is the technique of playing the guitar by plucking the strings directly with the fingertips, fingernails, or picks attached to fingers, as opposed to flatpicking (picking individual notes with a single plectrum called a flatpick) or strumming all the strings of the instrument in chords. ... Rock is a form of popular music, usually featuring vocals (often with vocal harmony), electric guitars, and a strong back beat; other instruments, such as the saxophone, are common in some styles, however saxophones have been omitted from newer subgenres of rock music since the 90s. ... This article is about the music magazine. ...

Biography

Early days

Mark Knopfler was born to an English mother and Hungarian Jewish father, who was an architect whose communist sympathies forced him to flee the fascist regime of his native Hungary. The family first moved to Scotland, but then settled in Knopfler's mother's home town of Newcastle upon Tyne in the north-east of England when he was nine years old. There, he and his younger brother David (also a musician) attended Gosforth Grammar School, where he was inspired by his uncle Kingsley's harmonica and boogie-woogie piano playing. Later, in his teens, he wanted to buy an expensive flamingo-pink Fender Stratocaster just like Hank Marvin's, but had to settle for a £50 twin pickup Höfner Super Solid.^[4] Like many other schoolboys of the 1960s, he served an early apprenticeship by forming and joining anonymous schoolboy bands and listening to singers like Elvis Presley and guitarists Chet Atkins, Scotty Moore, Jimi Hendrix, Django Reinhardt and James Burton. At sixteen he made a local TV appearance as half of a harmony duo along with a friend from school named Sue Hercombe.^[4] For other uses, see England (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Architect (disambiguation). ... This article is about communism as a form of society and as a political movement. ... Fascism (in Italian, fascismo), capitalized, was the authoritarian political movement which ruled Italy from 1922 to 1943 under the leadership of Benito Mussolini. ... This article is about a city in the United Kingdom. ... For other uses, see England (disambiguation). ... David Knopfler (born December 27, 1952 in Glasgow) is a Scottish guitarist, singer and songwriter. ... This is the Schools emblem Gosforth High School is located in Gosforth, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom. ... A harmonica is a free reed wind instrument. ... Boogie woogie has two different meanings: a piano based music style, boogie woogie (music) a dance that imitates the rocknroll of the 50s, boogie woogie (dance) This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ... Stratocaster redirects here. ... Brian Robson Rankin (born 28 October 1941), known by the stage name Hank B. Marvin, is an English guitarist, lead guitarist for The Shadows. ... Three magnetic pickups on an electric guitar. ... Karl Höfner GmbH & Co. ... Elvis redirects here. ... This article is about the musician. ... Winfield Scott Scotty Moore III (born December 27, 1931 near Gadsden, Tennessee) is a legendary American guitarist and member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. ... Jimi Hendrix (November 27, 1942 – September 18, 1970) was an American guitar virtuoso, singer and songwriter. ... Jean-Baptiste Django Reinhardt (January 23, 1910 – May 16, 1953) was a Belgian Sinto Gypsy jazz guitarist. ... James Burton (born August 21, 1939 in Minden, Louisiana) is an American guitarist. ...

In 1967, having displayed a flair for English,^[4] Knopfler studied journalism for a year at Harlow Technical College.^[5] At the end of the course he secured a job in Leeds as a junior reporter on the Yorkshire Evening Post.^[6] Two years later, he decided to further his studies and graduated with a degree in English at the University of Leeds.^[7] He worked as a lecturer at Loughton College during this period. It was while Knopfler was living in Leeds that he married Kathy White, his long-time girlfriend from school days; however, the marriage didn't last.^[4] // Journalism is the discipline of gathering, writing and reporting news, and broadly it includes the process of editing and presenting the news articles. ... For other uses, see Leeds (disambiguation) and Leeds City (disambiguation). ... A daily evening publication published by Yorkshire Post Newspapers Ltd in Leeds, West Yorkshire. ... The University of Leeds is a major teaching and research university, one of the largest in the United Kingdom with over 32,000 full-time students. ...

After separating from his wife, he moved to London and joined a High Wycombe-based band called Brewers Droop, appearing on the album "The Booze Brothers". One night while spending some time with friends, the only guitar available was an old acoustic with a badly warped neck that had been strung with extra-light strings to make it playable. Even so, he found it impossible to play unless he finger-picked it. He said in a later interview, "That was where I found my 'voice' on guitar." Soon after he recorded a "demo" tape of an original (but unreleased) song; "Summer's Coming My Way", in a London studio.^[4] // The world renound retard, jack milner, has been said to be living in the retarded town just west of high wycombe known as down syndromly. ... Brewers Droop was a band from High Wycombe, England, with Ron Watts (vocals), Steve Darrington (keyboards), John McKay (guitar), Malcolm Barrett (bass) and Bob Walker (drums), that constituted perhaps the most alarming blues revivalist act of the early 70s. ... This article is about the capital of England and the United Kingdom. ...

The Dire Straits years

Main article: Dire Straits

Dire Straits' first sessions were done under the name of Dire Straits, with Knopfler's brother David writing and serving as front man on one of the five songs, with Pick Withers as drummer and John Illsley on bass guitar. Knopfler often wore a headband during performances.^[4] This article is about the band. ... This article is about the band. ... Pick Withers (born April 4, 1948) was the original drummer for the rock band Dire Straits and played on their first four albums, which included hit singles such as Sultans of Swing, Romeo and Juliet and Skateaway. ... John Illsley (born on 24 June 1949, in Leicester, England) was the bass player for the British rock band Dire Straits. ... A sunburst-colored Fender Precision Bass The electric bass guitar (or electric bass[1][2]; pronounced , as in base) is a bass stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers (either by plucking, slapping, popping, or tapping) or using a pick. ...

Dire Straits recorded and released their first album, the self-titled Dire Straits in 1978 initially to little fanfare in the UK, but a single release, "Sultans of Swing" became a chart hit in Holland and album sales took off across Europe and then in the United States. The second album, Communiqué produced by Jerry Wexler and Barry Beckett, followed in 1979, reaching number one in Germany while the first album was still at number three. There were frequent personnel changes within Dire Straits after the release of Communique, but Mark Knopfler was always the driving force behind the group. Dire Straits is the self-titled debut album by British rock band Dire Straits, released in 1978 (see 1978 in music). ... Sultans of Swing was the first single release of the British rock band Dire Straits. ... Communiqué is the second album by British rock band Dire Straits. ... Gerald Jerry Wexler (born January 10, 1917) is a music journalist turned highly influential music producer, and is regarded as one of the major record industry players behind 1960s soul music. ...

The group's third album, Making Movies, was released in 1980 and marked a move towards more complex arrangements and production which continued for the remainder of the group's career. Making Movies was his most personal album, with the song "Romeo and Juliet", about a failed love affair becoming what critics call his best loved song; with a trademark he developed keeping personal songs under fictitious names.^[2] Dire Straits' fourth album, Love Over Gold followed in 1982 and included "Telegraph Road," "Industrial Disease, and the #2 hit "Private Investigations". A world tour called Alchemy: Dire Straits Live followed in 1983. A double-LP of the recordings of two live shows in Hammersmith Odeon in London was released in March 1984 and sold over 500,000 albums. Making Movies is the third album by British rock band Dire Straits, released in 1980. ... For other uses, see Romeo and Juliet (disambiguation). ... Love over Gold is the fourth album by British rock band Dire Straits. ... Telegraph Road is a song by the British rock band Dire Straits and written by Mark Knopfler. ... Industrial Disease is a song by the British rock band Dire Straits and written by Mark Knopfler. ... Private Investigations is a popular song by Dire Straits from their album Love Over Gold. ... Alchemy: Dire Straits Live is the first live album by British rock band Dire Straits, released in 1984 (see 1984 in music). ... An LP Long playing (LP), either 10 or 12-inch diameter, 33 rpm (actually 33. ...

At this time Mark Knopfler was also involved with other projects, including writing the music score for the film Local Hero, released in 1983. The soundtrack album Local Hero was a large success, and it was followed in 1984 by his scores for the films Cal and Comfort and Joy. Local Hero is a 1983 Scottish comedy film starring Peter Riegert, Denis Lawson and Burt Lancaster. ... A soundtrack album is any album that incorporates music from a particular feature film. ... Local Hero is Mark Knopflers soundtrack album to the 1983 film Local Hero. ... Cal is a 1984 British film based on a novel written by Bernard MacLaverty who also wrote the script. ... Comfort and Joy is a movie released in 1984 and directed by Bill Forsyth. ...

Knopfler married for the second time in November 1983, to Lourdes Salamone. Their twin sons, Benji and Joseph, were born in 1987.

Dire Straits' biggest studio album by far was their fifth, Brothers in Arms, released in 1985. It became an international hit and spawned several chart singles including the US number-one hit "Money for Nothing," which was the first video ever to be played on MTV in Britain. It was also the first compact disc to sell a million copies and is largely credited for launching the CD format. Other successful singles were "So Far Away", "Walk of Life", and the album's title track. The band's 1985–86 world tour of over 230^[4] shows was immensely successful. Brothers in Arms is the fifth studio album by British rock band Dire Straits, released in 1985. ... For other uses, see Money for Nothing (disambiguation). ... This article is about the original U.S. music television channel. ... So Far Away is a 1985 rock song by Dire Straits. ... Walk of Life is a 1985 song by the British rock band Dire Straits. ... Brothers in Arms is a 1985 song by Dire Straits, appearing as the last track on the album of the same name Lyrics Categories: ...

After the Brothers in Arms tour Dire Straits went on a lengthy hiatus, with Knopfler concentrating mainly on film soundtracks. Knopfler joined the charity ensemble Ferry Aid on "Let It Be" in the wake of the Zeebrugge ferry disaster, which reached #1 on the UK singles chart in March 1987. Additionally in 1987, over a meal at a Notting Hill wine bar,^[4] Knopfler formed The Notting Hillbillies, a more country-focused band. Knopfler further emphasized his country music influences with his 1990s collaboration with Chet Atkins, Neck and Neck. A charity record (also known as a charity single) is a release of a song for a specific charitable cause. ... Let It Be is a song written by Paul McCartney (although credited to Lennon/McCartney), and was released by The Beatles as a single in March 1970, and later the same year as the title track of their album, Let It Be. ... This article or section needs additional references or sources to improve its verifiability. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... The Notting Hillbillies was a country project formed by Dire Straits’ singer / guitarist Mark Knopfler with Brendan Croker, Steve Phillips, and Guy Fletcher. ... Country music is a blend of popular musical forms originally found in the Southern United States and the Appalachian Mountains. ... This article is about the musician. ... This page meets Wikipedias criteria for speedy deletion. ...

In 1988 Dire Straits regrouped for the Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute concert at Wembley Stadium, in which they were the headline act and were accompanied by Elton John and Eric Clapton, who by this time had developed a strong friendship with Knopfler. 1990 saw the release of the Notting Hillbillies sole studio album, Missing...Presumed Having a Good Time. The line-up of that group featured Guy Fletcher. After touring with the Notting Hillbillies, Knopfler reformed Dire Straits. The band toured with Slowhand and Elton John during the Knebworth charity show the same year. The Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute was a concert event held on June 11, 1988 at the Wembley Stadium, London. ... For the new stadium, see Wembley Stadium. ... Sir Elton Hercules[1] John CBE[2] (born Reginald Kenneth Dwight on 25 March 1947) is a five-time Grammy and one-time Academy Award-winning English pop/rock singer, composer and pianist. ... Eric Patrick Clapton, CBE[2] (born 30 March 1945) [3], nicknamed Slowhand, is a Grammy Award-winning English rock guitarist, singer, songwriter and composer. ... Railroadroad Work Song – 5:29 Bewildered – 2:37 Your Own Sweet Way – 4:32 Run Me Down – 2:25 One Way Gal – 3:10 Blues stay Away from Me – 3:50 Will You Miss Me – 3:52 Please Baby – 3:50 Weapon of Prayer – 3:10 Thats Where I... Slowhand is an album by Eric Clapton, released in 1977 (see 1977 in music). ... Sir Elton Hercules[1] John CBE[2] (born Reginald Kenneth Dwight on 25 March 1947) is a five-time Grammy and one-time Academy Award-winning English pop/rock singer, composer and pianist. ... Knebworth is a village in the north of Hertfordshire, England. ...

1991 saw the recording of what turned out to be the group's final studio album. On Every Street, which was released in September of that year, was an eagerly awaited release. However it was nowhere near as popular as Brothers in Arms and met with a mixed critical reaction, with some reviewers regarding the album as an underwhelming follow up to its predecessor. Nonetheless it sold well and reached #1 in the UK. A gruelling world tour to accompany the album followed, which lasted until the end of 1992. This was to be Dire Straits's final world tour; it was not as well received as the previous Brothers In Arms tour, and by this time Mark Knopler had had enough of such massive operations. This drove the band into the ground, and ultimately led to the group's 1995 dissolution. ^[8] On Every Street is the sixth and final studio album by British rock band Dire Straits, released in 1991 (see 1991 in music). ...

Two live albums were released after On Every Street. Released in 1993, On The Night documented Dire Straits' final world tour. It was followed in 1995 by Live at the BBC, which was released as a contractual album for Vertigo Records just before Dire Straits disbanded. On the Night is the third live album by Dire Straits. ... Live at the BBC is a live effort by Dire Straits, recorded in-between the release of their first album and Making Movies, their third effort. ... Vertigo Records was the name Philips Records chose in the sixties for its record label to counter the progressive labels of its rivals EMI (with Harvest Records) and Decca Records (with Deram Records). ...

Knopfler's marriage to Lourdes Salamone had ended in 1993 ^[9] and in 1995, having quietly laid Dire Straits to rest, he launched his solo career. Keyboardist Guy Fletcher has been associated with almost every piece of Knopfler's solo material following Dire Straits' dissolution. Danny Cummings, the percussionist, also makes frequent appearances, including one on Knopfler's latest solo album.^[10] Guy Fletcher (born May 24, 1960 in Maidstone, Kent) was the keyboardist to the popular 1978-1996 British rock band Dire Straits. ... Danny Cummings is a percussionist and drummer from Sheffield. ...

Solo career

In 1996, the year after Dire Straits disbanded, Knopfler released his first solo album, Golden Heart. Formed during the Golden Heart sessions, the main line-up of his solo band, also known as "The 96'ers," has lasted much longer than any Dire Straits line-up. Golden Heart is an album by Mark Knopfler (former front man of Dire Straits) released in 1996. ...

Knopfler's third marriage to actress Kitty Aldridge^[11] has given him two daughters Isabella (born 1998) and Katya Ruby Rose (born 2003).^[12] The family currently lives in Chelsea. Kitty Aldridge (born Bahrain in 1962) is a British actress and writer // After training as an actress in London, she worked since in film, theatre and television as an actress. ... Statue of Thomas More on Cheyne Walk. ...

In 1997 Knopfler recorded the soundtrack for the movie Wag the Dog. During that same year Rolling Stone magazine listed "Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame's 500 Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll", which included "Sultans of Swing," Dire Straits' first hit. 2000 saw the release of Knopfler's next solo album, Sailing to Philadelphia. This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... This article is about the magazine. ... Sailing to Philadelphia is an album by Mark Knopfler (former frontman of Dire Straits) released in 2000. ...

In 2002 Mark Knopfler gave four charity concerts with former Dire Straits members John Illsley, Chris White, Danny Cummings and Guy Fletcher, playing old material from the Dire Straits years and also The Notting Hillbillies. John Illsley (born on 24 June 1949, in Leicester, England) was the bass player for the British rock band Dire Straits. ... Chris White (July 13, 1955) is a British jazz/rock saxophonist who toured with Dire Straits from 1985-1995 and who has played with many bands and artists, including Robbie Williams, Paul McCartney, Chris De Burgh and Mick Jagger. ... Danny Cummings is a percussionist and drummer from Sheffield. ... Guy Fletcher (born May 24, 1960 in Maidstone, Kent) was the keyboardist to the popular 1978-1996 British rock band Dire Straits. ...

Also in 2002 Knopfler released his third solo album, The Ragpicker's Dream. A keen motorcyclist, Knopfler was involved in a motorbike crash in Grosvenor Road, Belgravia, in March 2003. He suffered a broken collarbone, broken shoulder blade and seven broken ribs.^[13] The planned Ragpicker's Dream tour was subsequently cancelled, but Knopfler recovered and was able to return to the stage in 2004 for his fourth album, Shangri-La. The Ragpickers Dream is Mark Knopflers third solo album, released in 2002. ... Belgravia is a district in the City of Westminster in London, to the south-west of Buckingham Palace. ... Shangri-La is the fourth solo album by Mark Knopfler, released in 2004. ...

Shangri-La was recorded at the Shangri-La Studio in Malibu, California in 2004, where The Band made recordings years before for their documentary/movie, The Last Waltz. In the promo for "Shangri-La" on his official website he said that his current line-up of Glenn Worf (bass), Guy Fletcher (keyboards), Chad Cromwell (drums), Richard Bennett (guitar) and Matt Rollings (piano) "play Dire Straits songs better than Dire Straits did." The "Shangri-La" tour took Mark to countries like India and the United Arab Emirates for the first time. In India, his concerts at Bombay and Bangalore were very well received, with over 20,000 fans gathering at each concert to listen to a legend many thought would never visit their country. Location of Malibu in Los Angeles County, California Coordinates: , Country State County Los Angeles Incorporated (city) 1991-03-28 [2] Government  - Mayor Jeff Jennings [1] Area  - Total 100. ... For other uses, see Band. ... The Last Waltz was a concert by the Canadian-American rock group, The Band, held on Thanksgiving Day, November 25, 1976, at Winterland Ballroom in San Francisco. ... A sunburst-colored Fender Precision Bass The electric bass guitar (or electric bass[1][2]; pronounced , as in base) is a bass stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers (either by plucking, slapping, popping, or tapping) or using a pick. ... Guy Fletcher (born May 24, 1960 in Maidstone, Kent) was the keyboardist to the popular 1978-1996 British rock band Dire Straits. ... Piano, a well-known instance of keyboard instruments A keyboard instrument is any musical instrument played using a musical keyboard. ... For other kinds of drums, see drum (disambiguation). ... Richard Bennett is a noted touring sideman, session veteran, and record producer. ... For other uses, see Guitar (disambiguation). ... Matt Rollings (Pianist, Producer, Arranger, Writer) born 1964. ... Pianoforte redirects here. ...

In November 2005 a third compilation, The Best of Dire Straits & Mark Knopfler: Private Investigations was released, consisting of material from most of Dire Straits' studio albums and Knopfler's solo and soundtrack material. The album was made available in two editions: a single CD (with a grey cover) and also as double CD (with the cover in blue), and was well-received. The only previously unreleased track on the album is All The Roadrunning, a duet with country music singer Emmylou Harris, which was followed in 2006 by an album of duets of the same name. Country music is a blend of popular musical forms originally found in the Southern United States and the Appalachian Mountains. ... Emmylou Harris (born April 2, 1947, Birmingham, Alabama) is a country, folk, alternative rock, and alternative country musician. ...

Mark Knopfler in 2005

Released in April 2006, All the Roadrunning reached #1 in Denmark and Switzerland, #2 in Norway and Sweden, #3 in Germany, Holland and Italy, #8 in Austria and UK, #9 in Spain, #17 in the United States (Billboard Top 200 Chart), #25 in Ireland and #41 in Australia. All The Roadrunning was nominated for "Best Folk Rock/Americana Album" at the 49th Grammy Awards (February 11, 2007) but lost out to Bob Dylan's nomination for Modern Times. Image File history File links MK-Ott-sm. ... Image File history File links MK-Ott-sm. ... All the Roadrunning is a collaborative album by Mark Knopfler and Emmylou Harris. ... Billboard can refer to: Billboard magazine Billboard (advertising) Billboard antenna In 3D computer graphics, to billboard is to rotate an object so that it faces the viewer. ... The 49th Annual Grammy Awards is a ceremony honoring the best in music for the 2006 recording year (October 1, 2005 - September 30, 2006) in the United States. ... is the 42nd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... Modern Times is Bob Dylans 32nd studio album, released on August 29, 2006 by Sony BMG. The album was Dylans third straight (following Time out of Mind and Love and Theft) to be met with nearly universal praise from fans and critics. ...

Joined by Emmylou Harris, Knopfler supported All the Roadrunning with a successful world tour. Selections from the duo's June performance at the Gibson Amphitheatre were released as a CD/DVD package entitled Real Live Roadrunning on November 14, 2006. In addition to several of the compositions that Harris and Knopfler recorded together in the studio, Real Live Roadrunning features solo hits from both members of the duo, as well as three tracks from Knopfler's days with Dire Straits. All the Roadrunning is a collaborative album by Mark Knopfler and Emmylou Harris. ... Real Live Roadrunning is a live album by Mark Knopfler and Emmylou Harris. ... is the 318th day of the year (319th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

A charity event in 2007 went wrong. A Fender Stratocaster guitar signed by Knopfler, Clapton, Brian May, and Jimmy Page was to be auctioned for £20,000 (or $40,000) to raise the money for a children's hospice, was lost in the shipping of the instrument. It "vanished after being posted from London to Leicestershire, England." Parcelforce, the company responsible has agreed to pay $30,000 for its loss.^[14] For the Australian film composer, see Brian May (composer). ... For the Scottish football (soccer) player, see Jimmy Page (footballer). ...

Knopfler released his fifth solo studio-album Kill to Get Crimson on September 14, 2007 in Germany, September 17 in the UK and September 18 in the United States. Besides the standard CD edition, a special "Deluxe Edition" with an extra DVD was also released. Kill To Get Crimson is the fifth solo album by Mark Knopfler, released 17 September 2007. ... is the 257th day of the year (258th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... is the 260th day of the year (261st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 261st day of the year (262nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

Knopfler is in the midst of a world tour to support the album, starting in Europe before moving on to North America.

Musical style

Mark Knopfler is noted for being left-handed, but playing right-handed, and for fingerpicking (using a personal variant of the clawhammer) style instead of using a plectrum (i.e., "pick"); fingerpicking is usually associated with the acoustic guitar, but Knopfler usually (though not always) plays an electric guitar. It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with Fingerstyle guitar. ... Clawhammer and frailing describe a class of fingerpicking techniques used by banjo and, rarely, guitar players. ... Various guitar picks A plectrum is a small flat tool used to pluck or strum a stringed instrument. ... A steel string acoustic guitar is a modern form of guitar descended from the classical guitar, but strung with steel strings for a brighter, louder sound. ... Two different electric guitars. ...

Knopfler revealed during a French interview that he uses a pick for his rhythm work during recording sessions. Knopfler surprised the interviewer by pulling a pick out of his pocket and saying that he usually carries one.

He has around 70 guitars,^[15] including:

• Fender Stratocasters including a 1954 (one of the first ever produced) which he has named "Jurassic Strat"^[16]
• Fender Telecasters
• Red-painted (Stratocaster style) Melancon Pro Artist.[2]
• Gibson Les Pauls^[17]
• Danelectro 59-DCs
• Pensa Custom custom-built solid body guitars. Also models MK-1 MK-2 & MK-80, which Pensa named in honor of Knopfler.^[18]
• Schecters
• National Style 0 Resonator guitar (dobro), as used on "Romeo and Juliet".
• Ramirez Spanish Guitar, used on "Postcard from Paraguay"

His Artist Series Stratocaster can be viewed on the Fender website. Stratocaster redirects here. ... The Fender Telecaster, also known as a Tele, is typically a dual-pickup, solid-body electric guitar made by Fender. ... -1... 2007 Danelectro Pro reissue Danelectro is a manufacturer of musical instruments and accessories, specializing in guitars, bass guitars, amplifiers and effects units. ... 59-DC guitars were manufactured by Danelectro (the DC stands for double cutaway). This guitar made a comeback in the late 1990s with the 59-DC reissue and later with the 59-DC PRO. The 59-DC has two pickups and has the Coke Bottle Style classic headstock, hollowed body... Pensa Custom Guitars is an American company that manufactures electric guitars and basses in handmade fashion. ... Schecter Guitar Research, or commonly known as just Schecter, is an American guitar manufacturer. ... A modern tricone resonator guitar, with electric pickup Ellis 8 string baritone tricone resonator guitar guitar played by James Michael Thompson A resonator guitar or resophonic guitar is an acoustic guitar whose sound is produced by one or more metal cones (resonators) instead of the wooden soundboard (guitar top/face). ... Romeo and Juliet was a single by the the British rock band Dire Straits. ... Stratocaster redirects here. ...

Live performance

• Knopfler's audience has grown to reach six continents; he is known to his audiences for his affable manner, humorous banter and amiable audience interaction during performances.
• Knopfler has been known to sip tea on stage during live performances. His guitarist Richard Bennett has also joined in drinking tea with him on stage. photo. On July 31st 2005 at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre, the tea was replaced by Whiskey in respect of ritual "last show of tour" sort of joke.^[19]

For other uses, see Tea (disambiguation). ...

Awards and acclaim

• In 1993, Knopfler was made an honorary Doctor of Music at Newcastle University.^[20]
• In 1999, Knopfler was awarded an OBE.^[21]
• On July 11, 2007, Knopfler was made an honorary Doctor of Music at Sunderland University.^[22]

Commanders Badge of the Order of the British Empire The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V. The Order includes five classes in civil and military divisions, in decreasing order of seniority: Knight or Dame Grand... is the 192nd day of the year (193rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ...

Knopfler's influence

• British author and humorist Douglas Adams said about Knopfler, in his book So Long, and Thanks for All the Fish: "Mark Knopfler has an extraordinary ability to make a Schecter Custom Stratocaster hoot and sing like angels on a Saturday night, exhausted from being good all week and needing a stiff beer."^[23]

• The dinosaur species Masiakasaurus knopfleri was named after Knopfler. The paleontologists were listening to Dire Straits recordings when they discovered the species.^[24]

• On Weird Al Yankovic's parody of "Money for Nothing", "Money for Nothing/Beverly Hillbillies", Knopfler played guitar in the song, recreating the memorable guitar riff from the original song.

• Knopfler's song "Going Home" from the soundtrack to Local Hero used to be played before kick-off at Newcastle United's home matches at St James' Park.^[25]

• According to director Rob Reiner, Knopfler agreed to write the music for Reiner's The Princess Bride on one condition: Reiner had to put the hat that he wore in This Is Spinal Tap in Princess Bride, "somewhere in evidence", as homage to the rock mockumentary. The hat makes its appearance in Princess Bride in the Grandson's (Fred Savage) bedroom.^[26]

• Indian cricket's superstar, Sachin Tendulkar is a fan of Mark Knopfler. They once had a joint interview on cricket commentator Harsha Bhogle's show "Harsha Online".^[27]

• The 2008 stage production, Celtic Thunder, has covers of multiple Mark Knopfler songs. Brothers in Arms, written by Mark Knopfler and performed originally by Dire Straits, is performed by Ryan Kelly. As well, the song Irish Boy (from Cal) and Going Home (From Local Hero) are performed together as an instrumental, entitled "Cal/Local Hero".

Douglas Noël Adams (11 March 1952 – 11 May 2001) was an English author, comic radio dramatist, and musician. ... So Long, and Thanks for All the Fish (1984, ISBN 0-345-39183-7) is the fourth book of the Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy series written by Douglas Adams. ... ... This article is about the musician. ... For other uses, see Money for Nothing (disambiguation). ... Money For Nothing/Beverly Hillbillies is a song by Weird Al Yankovic. ... Local Hero is Mark Knopflers soundtrack album to the 1983 film Local Hero. ... Local Hero is a 1983 Scottish comedy film starring Peter Riegert, Denis Lawson and Burt Lancaster. ... For the Australian soccer club see Newcastle United (Australia). ... St James Park is an all-seater stadium in Newcastle upon Tyne, England, and is the home of Newcastle United Football Club. ... Robert Rob Reiner (born March 6, 1945) is an American actor, director, producer, writer, childrens advocate and political activist. ... The Princess Bride is a 1987 film, based on the 1973 novel The Princess Bride by William Goldman, combining comedy, adventure, romance and fantasy. ... This Is Spin̈al Tap (which is officially spelled with a non-functional umlaut symbol over the N) is a 1984 mockumentary directed by Rob Reiner and starring members of the semi-fictional heavy-metal glam rock band Spinal Tap. ... Mockumentary (also known as a pseudo-documentary)[1], a portmanteau of mock and documentary, is a film and TV genre, or a single work of the genre. ... Fredrick Aaron Savage (born July 9, 1976) is an Emmy Award- and Golden Globe Award-nominated American actor and television and film director. ... This article is about the sport. ... Tendulkar redirects here. ... Harsha Bhogle is a leading Indian cricket commentator and journalist of Marathi Chitpavan Brahmin background. ... Cal is a 1984 British film based on a novel written by Bernard MacLaverty who also wrote the script. ... Local Hero is a 1983 Scottish comedy film starring Peter Riegert, Denis Lawson and Burt Lancaster. ...

Discography

With Dire Straits

Main article: Dire Straits

This article is about the band. ...

Solo albums

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Soundtrack albums

Other albums

• Missing...Presumed Having a Good Time (The Notting Hillbillies) (1990)
• Neck and Neck (with Chet Atkins) (1990)
• The Booze Brothers (with Brewers Droop) (1973/1989)
• All the Roadrunning (with Emmylou Harris, April 2006)
• Real Live Roadrunning (with Emmylou Harris, November 2006)

Railroadroad Work Song – 5:29 Bewildered – 2:37 Your Own Sweet Way – 4:32 Run Me Down – 2:25 One Way Gal – 3:10 Blues stay Away from Me – 3:50 Will You Miss Me – 3:52 Please Baby – 3:50 Weapon of Prayer – 3:10 Thats Where I... The Notting Hillbillies was a country project formed by Dire Straits’ singer / guitarist Mark Knopfler with Brendan Croker, Steve Phillips, and Guy Fletcher. ... This page meets Wikipedias criteria for speedy deletion. ... This article is about the musician. ... Brewers Droop was a band from High Wycombe, England, with Ron Watts (vocals), Steve Darrington (keyboards), John McKay (guitar), Malcolm Barrett (bass) and Bob Walker (drums), that constituted perhaps the most alarming blues revivalist act of the early 70s. ... Brewers Droop was a band from High Wycombe, England, with Ron Watts (vocals), Steve Darrington (keyboards), John McKay (guitar), Malcolm Barrett (bass) and Bob Walker (drums), that constituted perhaps the most alarming blues revivalist act of the early 70s. ... All the Roadrunning is a collaborative album by Mark Knopfler and Emmylou Harris. ... Emmylou Harris (born April 2, 1947, Birmingham, Alabama) is a country, folk, alternative rock, and alternative country musician. ... Real Live Roadrunning is a live album by Mark Knopfler and Emmylou Harris. ...

Producer

• Infidels (1983) by Bob Dylan. Although Mark disowned the reworked version of the album as released ^[28], his production is still noticeable. Left off the album, but later released on The Bootleg Series, is the critically acclaimed "Blind Willie McTell", featuring only Dylan, singing and playing piano, accompanied by Mark Knopfler on acoustic guitar.
• Knife (1984) by Aztec Camera, a Scottish indie/new wave band, which was mostly a vehicle for the work of Roddy Frame, much as Dire Straits only ever recorded Mark Knopfler compositions.
• Miracle (1987) by Willy DeVille, was dedicated to Mark and his wife 'for their support which was nothing short of a Miracle in a time of Dire Straits.' The album ends with the balad "Storybook Love", the theme from The Princess Bride movie.
• Land of Dreams (1988) by Randy Newman, includes the single "It's Money that Matters" which unabashedly revisits the Dire Straits song "Money for Nothing".

‹The template below has been proposed for deletion. ... This article is about the recording artist. ... The Bootleg Series Volumes 1–3 (Rare & Unreleased) 1961–1991 is a compilation box set by Bob Dylan. ... Blind Willie McTell is a song by Bob Dylan, titled after the blues singer Blind Willie McTell. ... Aztec Camera was a Scottish New Wave music band from Glasgow. ... Roddy Frame (born January 29, 1964 in East Kilbride, South Lanarkshire, Scotland) is the founder of the 1980s indie band, Aztec Camera. ... Miracle is an album by Willy DeVille. ... Willy DeVille on his 2001 album Horse of a Different Color Willy DeVille, singer and songwriter, was born William Borsay in Stamford, Connecticut on August 25, 1950. ... The Princess Bride is a 1987 film, based on the 1973 novel The Princess Bride by William Goldman, combining comedy, adventure, romance and fantasy. ... Land of Dreams was a 1988 album by Randy Newman. ... For the boxer, see Randy Neumann. ...

References