Top 100 guitarists mark knopfler biography

British musician (born )

"Knopfler" redirects here. For his brother, observe David Knopfler.

Musical artist

Mark Freuder KnopflerOBE (born 12 August ) research paper a British musician. He was the lead guitarist, singer title songwriter of the rock strip Dire Straits from to Sand pursued a solo career end the band dissolved, and in your right mind now an independent artist.

Knopfler was born in Glasgow, captain raised in Blyth, near Port. After graduating from the Campus of Leeds and working backer three years as a school lecturer, Knopfler co-founded Dire Sound with his younger brother, King Knopfler. The band recorded appal albums, including Brothers in Arms (), one of the at the top of the tree albums in history. After Horrendous Straits disbanded in , Knopfler began a solo career, don has produced ten solo albums to date.^[1] He has unexcitable and produced film scores on the way to nine films, including Local Hero (), Cal (), The Queen Bride (), Wag the Dog () and Altamira ().^[2] Misstep has produced albums for Tina Turner, Bob Dylan, and Popular Newman.

Described by Classic Rock as a virtuoso,^[3] Knopfler practical a fingerstyle guitarist and was ranked 27th on Rolling Stone's list of the " Reception Guitarists of All Time".^[4] Fitting Dire Straits, Knopfler sold mid million and million records.^[5][6] Excellent four-time Grammy Award winner, Knopfler is the recipient of say publicly Edison Award, the Steiger Furnish and the Ivor Novello Premium, as well as holding combine honorary doctorate degrees in meeting from universities in the Combined Kingdom.^[7][8] Knopfler was inducted invest in the Rock and Roll Lobby of Fame as a 1 of Dire Straits in ^[9]

Biography

– Early life

Mark Freuder Knopfler was born on 12 August shamble Glasgow, Scotland, to an Uprightly mother, Louisa Mary (née Laidler), and a Hungarian Jewish clergyman, Erwin Knopfler.^{[10][11][12][13][14]} His mother was a teacher and his pa was an architect and calligraphic chess player who left wreath native Hungary in to get away the Nazis.^[15] Knopfler later designated his father as a Communism agnostic.^[16]

The Knopflers originally lived fashionable the Glasgow area where Mark's younger brother David was indigene on 27 December Mark's elder sister Ruth was born critical Newcastle, where Mark's parents were married, in ^[17] The descendants moved to Knopfler's mother's hometown of Blyth, near Newcastle, reveal North East England when without fear was seven years old. Dip had attended Bearsden Primary College in Scotland for two years; both brothers attended Gosforth Approach School in Newcastle.

Originally brilliant by his uncle Kingsley's harp and boogie-woogie piano playing, Smudge soon became familiar with visit different styles of music. Even supposing he hounded his father muddle up an expensive Fiesta Red Cowcatcher Stratocaster electric guitar just come into sight Hank Marvin's, he eventually bribable a twin-pick-upHöfner Super Solid give reasons for £50 (equivalent to £1, in ).^[18]

In , when he was 13, he took a Saturday cost-effective at the Newcastle Evening Chronicle newspaper earning six shillings bear sixpence. Here he met say publicly ageing poet Basil Bunting, who was a copy editor.^[19] Misrepresent , Knopfler wrote a silhouette in tribute to him.^{[citation needed]}

At this time, Knopfler got litter the country largely by hitchhiking, and also hitched through Aggregation a number of times.^[20]

During representation s, he formed and married several bands and listened strut singers like Elvis Presley submit guitarists Chet Atkins, Scotty Thespian, B. B. King, Django Reinhardt, Hank Marvin, and James Thespian. At the age of 16, he made a local hug appearance as part of boss harmony duo, with his alter ego Sue Hercombe.^[18]

In , after drawing up journalism for a year send up Harlow College,^[18][21] Knopfler was leased as a junior reporter pin down Leeds for the Yorkshire Dusk Post.^[22] During this time, sharp-tasting made the acquaintance of shut down furniture restorer, country blues fanatic and part-time performer Steve Phillips, one year his senior, breakout whose record collection and bass style Knopfler acquired a and over knowledge of early blues artists and their styles. The join formed a duo called "The Duolian String Pickers", which faultless in local folk and curative blues venues.^[23] Two years next, Knopfler decided to further consummate education, and later graduated cut off a degree in English whet the University of Leeds.^[24]

In Apr , while living in Metropolis, he recorded a demo circle of an original song loosen up had written, "Summer's Coming Turn for the better ame Way". The recording included Knopfler (guitar and vocals), Steve Phillips (second guitar), Dave Johnson (bass), and Paul Granger (percussion). Writer, Granger, and vocalist Mick Dewhirst played with Knopfler in wonderful band called Silverheels; Phillips was later to rejoin Knopfler coerce the short lived side relieve of duty from Dire Straits, The Notting Hillbillies.

Upon graduation in , Knopfler moved to London arm joined a band based lid High Wycombe called Brewers Weaken. This group had issued studio-recorded material before Knopfler joined, sit went into the studio patch Knopfler was a member -- but Brewer's Droop material exempt Knopfler remained unissued until emergence on their archival album The Booze Brothers.^[25]

One night, while cost time with friends, the sole guitar available was an run acoustic with a badly deflected neck that had been strung with extra-light strings to mark it usable. Even so, sand found it impossible to lob unless he finger-picked it, principal to the development of emperor signature playing style. He spoken in a later interview, "That was where I found ill-defined 'voice' on guitar." After smart brief stint with Brewers Disintegrate, Knopfler took a job restructuring a lecturer at Loughton Academy in Essex – a even he held for three period. Throughout this time, he extended performing with local pub bands, including the Café Racers.^{[citation needed]}

By the mids, Knopfler devoted unwarranted of his musical energies confront his group, the Café Racers. His brother David moved denote London, where he shared put in order flat with John Illsley, unmixed guitarist who changed over add up to playing bass guitar. In Apr , Mark moved out all-round his flat in Buckhurst Mound and moved in with King and John. The three began playing music together, and in good time Mark invited John to rejoinder the Café Racers.^[26]

– Dire Straits

Main article: Dire Straits

Dire Straits' regulate demos were recorded in brace sessions in , with Painter Knopfler as rhythm guitarist, Convenience Illsley as bass guitarist, brook Pick Withers as drummer. Get-up-and-go 27 July , they evidence the demo tapes of fivesome songs: "Wild West End", "Sultans of Swing", "Down to glory Waterline", "Sacred Loving" (a Painter Knopfler song), and "Water objection Love". They later recorded "Southbound Again", "In the Gallery", keep from "Six Blade Knife" for BBC Radio London—and, finally, on 9 November, made demo tapes be unable to find "Setting Me Up", "Eastbound Train", and "Real Girl". Many exhaust these songs reflect Knopfler's memoirs in Newcastle, Leeds, and Writer, and were featured on their first album, the eponymous Dire Straits, which was released propitious the following year: "Down call on the Waterline" recalled images detail life in Newcastle; "In Authority Gallery" is a tribute make ill a Leeds sculptor and bravura named Harry Phillips (father endorse Steve Phillips); and "Lions", "Wild West End", and "Eastbound Train" were all drawn from Knopfler's early days in the capital.^{[citation needed]}

On its initial release paddock October , the album Dire Straits received little fanfare kick up a rumpus the UK, but when "Sultans of Swing" was released little a single, it became dinky chart hit in the Holland and album sales took reimburse – first across Europe, be proof against then in the United States and Canada, and finally class UK. The group's second tome, Communiqué, produced by Jerry Wexler and Barry Beckett, followed elation June

Their third album, Making Movies, released in October , moved towards more complex foyer and production, which continued hire the remainder of the group's career. The album included myriad of Mark Knopfler's most private compositions, most notably "Romeo duct Juliet" and "Tunnel of Love", with its intro "The Indirect Waltz" by Richard Rodgers add-on Oscar Hammerstein II, which very featured in the Richard Gere film An Officer and well-organized Gentleman. There were frequent staff changes within Dire Straits punishment onwards, with Mark Knopfler tolerate John Illsley the only workers to remain throughout the group's year existence. In whilst illustriousness recording sessions for Making Movies were taking place, tensions betwixt the Knopfler brothers reached swell point where David Knopfler confident to leave the band idea a solo career.^[27] The extant trio continued the album, stay Roy Bittan from Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band guesting seriousness keyboards and session guitarist Sid McGinnis on rhythm guitar, conj albeit he was uncredited on illustriousness album. After the recording assembly were completed, keyboardist Alan Adventurer and Californian guitarist Hal Lindes joined Dire Straits as full-time members for the On Location tour of Europe, North Land, and Oceania.^[28]

In September , depiction group's fourth studio album Love Over Gold was released. That featured the tracks "Private Investigations", "Telegraph Road", "Industrial Disease", "It Never Rains", and the name track of the album, "Love Over Gold". Shortly after ethics album's release, Pick Withers residue the band.

In early , with Love Over Gold do in the albums charts, goodness band released a four-song Prevail on titled ExtendedancEPlay. Featuring the bump into single "Twisting by the Pool", this was the first shop by the band that featured new drummer Terry Williams, (formerly of Rockpile and Man). Include eight month long Love anxious Gold Tour followed which refine with two sold-out concerts motionless London's Hammersmith Odeon on 22 and 23 July In Go the double album Alchemy Live was released, which documented righteousness recordings of these final three live shows. It was very released in VHS video countryside reached number three in significance UK Albums Chart, and was reissued in DVD and Blu-ray format in

During and , Mark Knopfler was also fade away with other projects outside exert a pull on Dire Straits, some of which other band members contributed toward. Knopfler and Terry Williams stricken on Phil Everly's and Cuesta Richard's song "She Means Folding To Me", which reached prestige Top 10 in the UK Singles Chart in February , taken from the album "Phil Everly". Knopfler had also unwritten his interest writing film sonata, and after producer David Puttnam responded^[29][30] he wrote and finish in the money b be the music score to magnanimity film Local Hero. The tome was released in April delighted received a BAFTA award slot for Best Score for great Film the following year.^[31][32] Alan Clark also contributed, and overturn Dire Straits members Illsley, Lindes and Williams played on lone track, "Freeway Flyer", and Gerry Rafferty contributed lead vocals depth "The Way It Always Starts". The closing track on character album and on the credits in the film is righteousness instrumental "Going Home: Theme pressure the Local Hero" which was released as a single stomach became a popular live being for Dire Straits, entering grandeur band's repertoire from onwards.^[33][34]

"Local Hero" was followed in by Knopfler's music scores for the big screen Cal (soundtrack) and Comfort extremity Joy, both of which additionally featured Terry Williams, as be a winner as keyboardist Guy Fletcher.^[28] Too during this time Knopfler catch Bob Dylan's Infidels album, pass for well as Knife by Nahuatl Camera. He also wrote righteousness song "Private Dancer" for Tina Turner's comeback album of honesty same name to which keep inside Dire Straits members John Illsley, Alan Clark, Hal Lindes distinguished Terry Williams contributed. Knopfler likewise contributed lead guitar to Attorney Ferry's album Boys and Girls, released in June

Dire Straits' biggest studio album by inaccessible was their fifth, Brothers pointed Arms. Recording of the sticker album started at the end chivalrous at George Martin's AIR Studios in Montserrat with Knopfler bracket Neil Dorfsman producing.^[35] There were further personnel changes. Guy Dramatist joined the band as fine full-time member, so the remoteness now had two keyboardists, at the same time as second guitarist Hal Lindes heraldry sinister the band early on significant the recording sessions and was replaced in December by Flag 2 Sonni, a New York-based player and longstanding friend of Knopfler (although Sonni's contribution to grandeur album was minimal).^[36] The next permanent drummer Terry Williams was released from the recording composer after the first month be first temporarily replaced by jazz category drummer Omar Hakim, who re-recorded the album's drum parts stomach three days before leaving plan other commitments.^[37][38] Williams would snigger back in the band tempt a full-time member for description music videos and the – Brothers in Arms world journey that followed.^[39]

Released in May , Brothers in Arms became block international blockbuster that has vend more than 30&#;million copies international company, and in was the quarter best selling album in UK chart history.^[40][41]Brothers in Arms spawned several chart singles including integrity US # 1 hit "Money for Nothing", which was glory first video played on MTV in Britain. It was too the first compact disc put on sell a million copies status is largely credited for entrance the CD format as be a winner was also one of goodness first DDD CDs ever released,^[42] Other successful singles were "So Far Away", "Walk of Life", and the album's title path. The band embarked on nifty – Brothers in Arms terra tour of over ^[18] shows which was immensely successful.

After the Brothers in Arms false tour Dire Straits ceased oversee work together for some always, Knopfler concentrating mainly on peel soundtracks. Knopfler joined the liberality ensemble Ferry Aid on "Let It Be" in the outcome of the Zeebrugge ferry irritant. The track reached No. 1 on the UK Singles Plan for three weeks in Stride Knopfler wrote the music aggregate for the film The Prince Bride, released at the sewer of It featured the tune "Storybook Love" with Willy DeVille.

Mark Knopfler also took high point in a comedy skit (featured on the French and Saunders show) titled "The Easy Bass Book Sketch" with comedian Rowland Rivron and fellow British musicians David Gilmour, Lemmy from Motörhead, Mark King from Level 42, and Gary Moore. Phil President explained in an interview desert Knopfler used Gilmour's guitar prove and managed to sound cherish himself when performing in nobleness skit.^[43]

Dire Straits regrouped for 11 June Nelson Mandela 70th Anniversary Tribute concert at Wembley Square, in which they were decency headline act, and were attended by Eric Clapton,^[44] who wedge this time had developed put in order strong friendship with Knopfler. Colours Sonni and Terry Williams both officially left the band presently afterwards.^[45] In September Mark Knopfler announced the official dissolution attain Dire Straits, saying that illegal "needed a rest".^[46] In Oct , a compilation album, Money for Nothing, was released deliver reached number one in excellence United Kingdom.^[47]

In , Knopfler familiar the Notting Hillbillies,^[18] a toggle at the other end honor the commercial spectrum. It leaned heavily towards American roots sonata – folk, Blues and express music. The band members focus keyboardist Guy Fletcher, with Brendan Croker and Steve Phillips. Long both the album and picture tour Paul Franklin was another to the line-up on tone steel. The Notting Hillbillies individual studio album, MissingPresumed Having regular Good Time was released comport yourself March , and Knopfler fuel toured with the Notting Hillbillies for the remainder of mosey year. He further emphasised government country music influences with her highness s collaboration with Chet Atkins, Neck and Neck, which won three Grammy awards. The Hillbillies toured the UK in awkward with a limited number exert a pull on shows. In this low-key excursion the band packed out in order venues such as Newcastle Practice.

In , Knopfler, John Illsley, and Alan Clark performed tempt Dire Straits at Knebworth, spliced by Eric Clapton, Ray Actor, and guitarist Phil Palmer (who was at that time largest part of Eric Clapton's touring band), and in January the shadowing year, Knopfler, John Illsley person in charge manager Ed Bicknell decided warn about reform Dire Straits. Knopfler, Illsley, Alan Clark, and Guy Playwright set about recording what sickening out to be their rearmost studio album accompanied by sidemen Phil Palmer, pedal steel instrumentalist Paul Franklin, percussionist Danny Author and Toto drummer Jeff Porcaro.

The follow-up to Brothers put into operation Arms was finally released ideal September On Every Street was nowhere near as popular by the same token its predecessor, and met get together a mixed critical reaction, warmth some reviewers regarding the notebook as an underwhelming comeback aft a six-year break. Nonetheless, integrity album sold well and reached No. 1 in the UK. Session drummer Chris Whitten hitched Dire Straits as they embarked on a gruelling world take shape featuring shows in front close some million ticket-buying fans. That was to be Dire Straits' final world tour; it was not as well received slightly the previous Brothers in Arms tour, and by this repulse Mark Knopfler had had sufficient of such huge operations. Senior Ed Bicknell is quoted translation saying "The last tour was utter misery. Whatever the flavor was that we had antiquated part of, it had passed." John Illsley agreed, saying "Personal relationships were in trouble take precedence it put a terrible except on everybody, emotionally and physicality. We were changed by it."^[48] This drove the band write the ground, and ultimately straighttalking to the group's final corrosion in

Following the tour, Knopfler took some time off bring forth the music business. In , he received an honorary strain doctorate from the University influence Newcastle upon Tyne. Two additional Dire Straits albums were unbound, both live albums. On nobility Night, released in May , documented Dire Straits' final universe tour. In , following rank release of Live at depiction BBC (a contractual release oversee Vertigo Records), Mark Knopfler good buy dissolved Dire Straits and launched his career as a unescorted artist. Knopfler later recalled become absent-minded, "I put the thing ploy bed because I wanted be get back to some appreciative of reality. It's self-protection, on the rocks survival thing. That kind give an account of scale is dehumanizing."^[49] Knopfler would spend two years recovering be different the experience, which had disused a toll on his designing and personal life.

Since distinction break-up of Dire Straits, Knopfler has shown no interest superimpose reforming the group. However, keyboardist Guy Fletcher has been connected with almost every piece fair-haired Knopfler's solo material to abundance, while Danny Cummings has too contributed frequently, notably to twosome of Knopfler's recent solo manual releases: All the Roadrunning (with Emmylou Harris), Kill to Kiss and make up Crimson, Get Lucky and One Deep River.^[50][51]

In October Knopfler declined a suggestion by John Illsley that the band should modify. Illsley said that a appeasement would be "entirely up manuscript Mark"; however, he also experiential that Knopfler was enjoying culminate success as a solo artist.^[52] When asked about a thinkable reunion, Knopfler responded, "Oh, Wild don't know whether to incline getting all that stuff inspect together again", and that rendering global fame Dire Straits accomplished in the s "just got too big".^[52]

In , the toggle were inducted into the Scarp and Roll Hall of Name. Knopfler did not attend interpretation induction ceremony; however, remaining helpers John Illsley, Guy Fletcher humbling Alan Clark were in habitation to accept the award happen next behalf of the band.

In November , John Illsley accessible his autobiography My Life skull Dire Straits, in which be active confirms that Knopfler has thumb interest in reforming Dire Hole, which he again reiterated deal an interview in November Closure reflected that the band personnel had "reached the end make a rough draft the road" after the trounce of their final world voyage in , and that lighten up was "pretty happy" when interpretation band's run came to be over end, recalling feeling "mentally, bodily and emotionally exhausted" by decency time Dire Straits disbanded.^[53][54] Varnish the time, Illsley also spoken, "I can openly admit detect you that I really enjoyed the success of the pin, I'm speaking for Mark considerably well, we both really enjoyed [it]. It comes with efficient certain amount of stress, distinctly. You've got to really govern deep sometimes to keep douse working. I think Mark voiced articulate – and I hope I'm quoting him correctly here – but he said that go well is great, but fame survey what comes out of influence exhaust pipe of a motor. It's something you don't actually want".^[55]

Dire Straits remain one tactic the most popular British wobble bands as well as reschedule of the world's most commercially successful bands, with worldwide textbook sales of more than million.^[56]

–present: Solo career

Knopfler's first solo medium, Golden Heart, was released pry open March It featured the UK single "Darling Pretty". The album's recording sessions helped create Knopfler's backing band, which is as well known as The 96ers. Cluedin features Knopfler's old bandmate Provoke Fletcher on keyboards. This band's main line-up has lasted often longer than any Dire Embarrassment line-up. Also in , Knopfler recorded guitar for Ted Christopher's Dunblane massacre tribute cover, Knockin' on Heaven's Door.

Knopfler sedate his first film score weigh down for Local Hero. In , Knopfler recorded the soundtrack acquire the movie Wag the Dog. During that same year Rolling Stone magazine listed Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame's Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll, which included "Sultans of Swing", Dire Straits' first hit. axiom the release of Knopfler's twig solo album, Sailing to Philadelphia. This has been his principal successful to date, possibly helped by the number of unusual contributors to the album, passion Van Morrison. On 15 Sept , Knopfler appeared at rectitude Music for Montserrat concert recoil the Royal Albert Hall, Writer, performing alongside artists such tempt Sting, Phil Collins, Elton Crapper, Eric Clapton and Paul McCartney.^[57]

In July , Knopfler gave pair charity concerts under the nickname of "Mark Knopfler and friends" with former Dire Straits brothers John Illsley, Chris White, Danny Cummings and Guy Fletcher, exhibit old material from the Fearful Straits years.^[58] The concerts further featured The Notting Hillbillies converge Brendan Croker and Steve Phillips. At these four concerts (three of the four were at one\'s disposal the Shepherd's Bush, the part at Beaulieu on the southern coast) they were joined antisocial Jimmy Nail, who provided support vocals for Knopfler's composition Why Aye Man.

Also in , Knopfler released his third individual album, The Ragpicker's Dream. Hill March he was involved domestic animals a motorbike crash in Grosvenor Road, Belgravia and suffered shipshape and bristol fashion broken collarbone, broken shoulder dagger and seven broken ribs.^[59] Significance planned Ragpicker's Dream tour was subsequently cancelled, but Knopfler wagerer and returned to the stratum in for his fourth manual, Shangri-La.

Shangri-La was recorded at rendering Shangri-La Studio in Malibu, Calif., in , where the Closure had made recordings years already for their documentary/movie, The Remain Waltz. In the promo occupy Shangri-La on his official site, he said his current gang of Glenn Worf (bass), Deride Fletcher (keyboards), Chad Cromwell (drums), Richard Bennett (guitar), and Tiresome Rollings (piano) "play Dire Crisis songs better than Dire Extremity did." The Shangri-La tour took Knopfler to countries such little India and the United Semite Emirates for the first hold your horses. In India, his concerts amalgamation Mumbai and Bangalore were agreeably received, with over 20, fans at each concert.

In Nov a compilation, Private Investigations: Greatness Best of Dire Straits & Mark Knopfler was released, consisting of material from most spot Dire Straits' studio albums arena Knopfler's solo and soundtrack data. The album was released sham two editions, as a matchless CD (with a grey cover) and as a double Memento (with the cover in blue), and was well received. Rank only previously unreleased track offer the album is All influence Roadrunning, a duet with power music singer Emmylou Harris, which was followed in by high-rise album of duets of description same name.

Released in Apr , All the Roadrunning reached No. 1 in Denmark stomach Switzerland, No. 2 in Noreg and Sweden, No. 3 inlet Germany, The Netherlands and Italia, No. 8 in Austria prep added to UK, No. 9 in Espana, No. 17 in the Banded together States (Billboard Top Chart), Clumsy. 25 in Ireland, and Negation. 41 in Australia. All picture Roadrunning was nominated for "Best Folk Rock/Americana Album" at description 49th Grammy Awards (11 Feb ) but lost out variety Bob Dylan's nomination for Modern Times.

Joined by Emmylou Writer, Knopfler supported All the Roadrunning with a limited—15 concerts instruct in Europe, 1 in Canada, come to rest 8 in the United States—but highly successful tour of Aggregation and North America. Selections detach from the duo's performance of 28 June at the Gibson Arena, Universal City, California, were free as a DVD entitled Real Live Roadrunning on 14 Nov In addition to several endorsement the compositions that Harris arena Knopfler recorded together in distinction studio, Real Live Roadrunning attributes solo hits from both branchs of the duo, as convulsion as three tracks from Knopfler's days with Dire Straits.

A charity event in went wrong: a Fender Stratocaster guitar unmixed by Knopfler, Clapton, Brian Haw, and Jimmy Page, which was to be auctioned for £20, to raise the money subsidize a children's hospice, was left behind when being shipped. It strayed after being posted from Author to Leicestershire, England." Parcelforce, significance company responsible, agreed to apportionment £15, for its loss.^[60][61]

Knopfler unattached his fifth solo studio-album, Kill to Get Crimson, on 14 September in Germany, 17 Sep in the UK and 18 September in the United States. During the autumn of filth played a series of dear 'showcases' in various European cities to promote the album. Dexterous tour of Europe and Northward America followed in

Continuing dialect trig pattern of high productivity proof his solo career, Knopfler began work on his next mansion album, entitled Get Lucky, rephrase September with long-time bandmate Fellow Fletcher, who again compiled clever pictorial diary of the manufacture of the album on government website.^[62] The album was free on 14 September the shadowing year and Knopfler subsequently undertook an extensive tour across Accumulation and America. The album reduction with moderate success on honourableness charts (much of it crumble Europe) reaching No. 1 sui generis incomparabl in Norway but peaking make out the Top 5 in get bigger major European countries (Germany, Italia, The Netherlands). The album ineffective at No. 2 on say publicly Billboard European Album chart nearby at No. 5 on justness Billboard Rock Album chart.^[63]

Knopfler's alone live performances can be defined as relaxed—almost workmanlike. He uses very little stage production, treat than some lighting effects put in plain words enhance the music's dynamics. Good taste has been known to split tea on stage during existent performances. Richard Bennett, who has been playing with him legation tour since , has as well joined in drinking tea slaughter him on stage. On 31 July , at the Empress Elizabeth Theatre in Vancouver, BC, the tea was replaced corresponding whisky as a "last piece of tour" sort of joke.^[64]

In February , Knopfler gave change intimate solo concert at distinction Garrick Club in London. Knopfler had recently become a associate of the exclusive gentlemen's truncheon for men of letters.^[65] Coop up , Knopfler appeared on glory newest Thomas Dolby release, primacy EP Amerikana. Knopfler performed keep on the track 17 Hills.^[66] Vibrate February , Knopfler began attention on his next solo jotter, Privateering, once again working stay Guy Fletcher. In July , it was announced that Knopfler would take time out plant recording his new album all round take part in a Indweller tour with Bob Dylan over October and November.^[67] The job year Knopfler covered a Shake Dylan song, "Restless Farewell", act an Amnesty International 50th Feast celebration record.^[68]

On 3 September , Knopfler's seventh solo album, Privateering, was released.^[69] This was Knopfler's first double album solo unbridle and contained 20 new songs. After a further tour take on Bob Dylan in the Exaggerated during October and November,^[70] illustriousness Privateering tour of Europe followed in Spring/Summer ^[71] A accordingly run of five shows were played in the US lose concentration Autumn.^[72] Knopfler began work handing over another studio album in Sep , again at his Brits Grove Studios in London show Guy Fletcher co-producing.^[73] On 16 September , it was proclaimed that this new album would be entitled Tracker, and go off it would see a escape in early European tour dates were also announced for Spring/Summer ^[74] In he collaborated accost the Italian bluesman Zucchero Fornaciari playing in Ci si arrende and Streets of Surrender (S.O.S.) contained in Black Cat.

With the November release of 's Down the Road Wherever, fastidious Mark Knopfler world tour razorsharp support of the new release was announced for During interviews, Knopfler hinted it would hide his last one. The journey started with a show feign 25 April in Barcelona^[75] as which Knopfler confirmed to glory live audience that the remaining tour would be his blare tour ever. However, during class tour this statement softened,^[76] stating he will continue as crystalclear loves touring so much, funny he'd be unemployed and doesn't know what else to improve on. The final concert of nobleness tour (and Knopfler’s final special attraction show to date) took establish in New York City put off Madison Square Garden on 25 September ^[77]

Knopfler appears in Escarpment Richard's song "PS Please" charade on the Richard album Music The Air That I Breathe released in

Knopfler penned distinction score for the musical variant of Local Hero, including another songs alongside adding lyrics commemorative inscription the original instrumental music, reuniting again with Bill Forsyth.^[78]

In Jan , Knopfler announced his split second album, One Deep River, which was released in April , collaborating with Guy Fletcher at one time again.^[79] Also in early , Knopfler assembled a supergroup, referred to as Mark Knopfler's Bass Heroes, to record a spanking version of "Going Home: Matter of the Local Hero" cause somebody to support the Teenage Cancer Give and Teen Cancer America. Honesty recording was produced by Boy Fletcher and was released get hold of 15 March , featuring assistance from more than sixty musicians.^[80][81][82]

Country music

In addition to his pointless in Dire Straits and alone, Knopfler has made several offerings to country music. In grace formed country-focused band the Notting Hillbillies,^[18] with Guy Fletcher, Brendan Croker and Steve Phillips. Leadership Notting Hillbillies sole studio jotter, MissingPresumed Having a Good Time was released in and featured the minor hit single "Your Own Sweet Way". Knopfler newborn emphasised his country music influences with his collaboration with At hand Atkins, Neck and Neck, which was also released in "Poor Boy Blues", taken from dump collaboration, peaked at No.

Knopfler's other contributions include writing lecture playing guitar on John Anderson's single "When It Comes in You" (from his album Seminole Wind). In Mary Chapin Woodworker also released a cover cancel out the Dire Straits song The Bug. Randy Travis released regarding of Knopfler's songs, "Are Phenomenon in Trouble Now", in Link with that same year, Knopfler's alone single "Darling Pretty" reached unmixed peak of No.

Knopfler collaborated with George Jones on rank The Bradley Barn Sessions sticker album, performing guitar duties on justness classic J.P. Richardson composition "White Lightnin'". He is featured trimness Kris Kristofferson's album The Austin Sessions, (on the track "Please Don't Tell Me How Nobleness Story Ends") released in hunk Atlantic Records.

In , Knopfler and Emmylou Harris made neat as a pin country album together titled All the Roadrunning, followed by skilful live CD-DVD titled Real Survive Roadrunning. Knopfler also charted a handful of singles on the Canadian declare music singles chart. Again mould , Knopfler contributed the expose "Whoop De Doo" to Jemmy Buffett's Gulf and Western society album Take the Weather observe You. In , he wrote and played guitar on honesty song "Oldest Surfer on probity Beach" to Buffett's album Songs From St. Somewhere.

Musical style

Knopfler is left-handed, but plays significance guitar right-handed.^[83] In its debate of Dire Straits' Brothers demand Arms in , Spin commented, "Mark Knopfler may be interpretation most lyrical of all escarpment guitarists."^[84] In the same best, Rolling Stone commended his "evocative" guitar style.^[85] According to Classic Rock in , "The starving economy of Knopfler's songs extremity his dizzying guitar fills were a breath of clean unjust amid the lumbering rock dinosaurs and one-dimensional punk thrashers brake the late 70s. He was peerless as craftsman and master, able to plug into rock's classic lineage and bend impede to sometimes wild forms. Recognized wrote terrific songs, too: stretched mini-dramas of dark depths gleam dazzling melodic and lyrical flourishes."^[3] Knopfler is also well make public for playing fingerstyle exclusively, mention he attributed to Chet Atkins.^{[citation needed]}

Personal life

Knopfler has been husbandly three times, first to Kathy White, his long-time girlfriend let alone school days. They separated previously Knopfler moved to London meet join Brewers Droop in ^[18] Knopfler's second marriage was discredit November to Lourdes Salomone. Knopfler and Salomone have twin look at carefully, who were born in ^[44] Their marriage ended in Insignia Valentine's Day in Barbados, Knopfler married British actress and columnist Kitty Aldridge, whom he difficult to understand known for three years.^[86] Knopfler and Aldridge have two daughters.^{[87][88][18][89][90]}

Knopfler is a fan of Port United F.C.^[91] "Going Home (Theme of the Local Hero)" interest used by Newcastle United sort an anthem at home mirth. Knopfler also has a warehouse of classic cars which appease races and exhibits at shows, including a Maserati S pivotal an Austin-Healey S.^[92][93]

Knopfler was ostensible to have a fortune model £75&#;million in the Sunday Times of yore Rich List of , manufacture him one of the 40 wealthiest people in the Country music industry.^[94]

In January , bonus than of Knopfler's guitars cope with amps were sold at transaction in London for a resolution of more than £8 trillion, 25 per cent of which will be donated to charities. Included in the auction was the Les Paul used put under somebody's nose hits like "Money For Nothing" and "Brothers in Arms." Knopfler expressed his desire for representation instruments to find loving container and hopes they will suit played rather than stored away.^[95]

Discography

Main articles: Dire Straits discography accept Mark Knopfler discography

Honours and awards

References