Mark Knopfler (b. 1949)

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Biography

Mark Freuder Knopfler OBE is a British musician. He was the lead guitarist, singer and songwriter of the rock band Dire Straits from 1977 to 1995, and he is one of the two members who stayed throughout the band's existence, along with the bassist John Illsley. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest guitarists of all time. After Dire Straits dissolved, he pursued a solo career and is now an independent artist.

In Their Own Words (5)

Last time I was sober, man I felt badWorst hangover that I ever had.It took six hamburgers and scotch all nightNicotine for breakfast just to put me right.’Cause if you wanna run cool,If you wanna run cool,If you wanna run cool, you got to runOn heavy, heavy fuel.

Heavy Fuel , 1991

Here comes Johnny singing oldies, goldiesBe-Bop-A-Lula, Baby What I SayHere comes Johnny singing I Gotta WomanDown in the tunnels, trying to make it pay.He got the action, he got the motionOh yeah the boy can play.Dedication, devotionTurning all the night time into the day.

Walk of Life , 1985

Why worry? There should be laughter after pain.There should be sunshine after rain.These things have always been the same.So why worry now?

Why Worry , 1985

Two men say they’re Jesus, one of them must be wrong.

Industrial Disease , 1982

Getting crazy on the Waltzers, but it's the life that I choose.Sing about the sixblade, sing about the switchback and a torture tattoo.And I been riding on a ghost train where the cars they scream and slam,And I don't know where I'll be tonight but I'd always tell you where I am.

Tunnel of Love, written with Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II , 1980

Timeline

The story of Mark Knopfler, told in moments.

1978 Event

Dire Straits released "Sultans of Swing" as a single. Knopfler had been a college lecturer for three years before co-founding the band with his brother David. The fingerpicked guitar sound was unlike anything on the radio.

A college lecturer before co-founding Dire Straits. Did academia lose you willingly? The fingerpicked sound unlike anything on radio. Was that accident or intent?

1985 Event

Brothers in Arms became one of the best-selling albums in history. "Money for Nothing," with its MTV-referencing lyrics and Sting's backing vocals, hit No. 1 in the US. The album sold over 30 million copies worldwide.

'Money for Nothing' referencing MTV while playing on MTV. Was that deliberate irony? 30 million copies of Brothers in Arms. Did that commercial peak feel comfortable?

1987 Event

Composed the film score for The Princess Bride. He'd already scored Local Hero in 1983 and Cal in 1984. Later scored Wag the Dog. Nine film scores total. Four Grammys. Rolled Stone ranked him 27th greatest guitarist of all time.

The Princess Bride score. Was film composition a different muscle? Four Grammys, nine film scores. Is versatility your defining trait?

2018 Event

Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Dire Straits. The band had sold between 100 and 120 million records. Knopfler had already released eight solo albums by then, and he's added two more since.

100 to 120 million records with Dire Straits. Plus ten solo albums. Is enough ever enough? The Rock Hall after the band sold out. Was that recognition overdue?