B E A T

Knopfler spent most of his childhood in NewCastle, northern England, took an early job as a news reporter, and subsequently studied English Literature at Leeds University. He had been active as a guitarist and singer since his teens, and in 1973, he moved to London, where he joined blues band Brewer’s Droop (whose drummer, Pick Withers, was a future Dire Straits member), combining his music activities with part-time teaching and lecturing. Briefly a member of Café’ Racers, but by mid –1977, he was rehearsing and sharing a south London apartment with his brother David (also a guitarist), and bassist John Illsley. Withers was invited to join the line-up of what was soon to be Dire Straits. In July 1977, the band made a number of demos (including early versions of SULTANS OF SWING; these received airplay from London DJ Charlie Gillett, and led to a record deal and high profile gigs, including a support spot on Talking Head’s 1978 UK tour. Dire Straits record their first LP at Basing Street Studios, London, produced by Muff Winwood. It includes "Sultans of Swing" , "Water of Love" and "Six Blade Knife". Total budget is 12,500 pounds - including artwork. ‘SULTANS OF SWING” became a massive U.S./ U.K. hit single the following year.

After their second hugely successful LP, COMMUNIQUE’, Hal Lindes replaced David Knopfler, and Withers was a further casualty when Terry Williams (ex-Man, Rockpile) took the drum seat after LOVE OVER GOLD album in 1982. Session keyboard player Alan Clark had been added permanently for this latter set. Dire Straits had difficult periods on the road, with Knopfler even more uncomfortable with his role as a rock superstar. His independent projects, producing bob Dylan’s INFIDELS (1983), and scoring movies such as Local Hero, Cal, and Comfort and Joy, had observers speculating about the group’s future. A two year sabbatical ended with the release of studio album, BROTHERS IN ARMS (1985) which prompted a 12-month tour, and an augmentation of Dire Straits line-up which saw Guy Fletcher replace Clark.

The band’s epic single, MONEY FOR NOTHING ( taken from BROTHERS) earned the band their first No.1 and a permanent spot on MTV. Collaborations with NottingHillbillies and Chet atkins produced such albums as MISSING…PRESUMED HAVING A GOOD TIME, and NECK AND NECK, and Dire Straits sprang back into action with a new album, ON EVERY STREET and a massive world wide tour that continued through 1992. However, there have been no further gigs or new studio recordings, and Knopfler now seems to have settled down to a highly successful solo career. His albums GOLDEN HEART (1996) and SAILING TO PHILADELPHIA (2000) have been warmly received, and he is also active as a producer and guest player on a wide range of projects.

Mark Knopfler enjoys playing one of his favorite guitars, a flametop Pensa/Suhr, and has used may other guitars during his career such as a 1961 rosewood Fender Stratocaster, a 1954 Fender Telecaster, and a black Telecaster owned by his brother David. Additionally, Mark also played 1958, 1959, and 1984 Gibson Les Paul’s.