Mark Knopfler

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

Mark Knopfler
OBE
Knopfler performing in 2015
Knopfler performing in 2015
Background information
Birth nameMark Freuder Knopfler
Born (1949-08-12) 12 August 1949 (age 75)
Glasgow, Scotland
OriginBlyth, Northumberland, England
Genres
Occupations
  • Musician
  • singer
  • songwriter
  • record producer
Instruments
  • Guitar
  • vocals
Years active1965–present
Labels
Websitewww.markknopfler.com

Mark Freuder Knopfler OBE (born 12 August 1949) is a British guitarist, singer, songwriter, and record producer. He was the lead guitarist, singer and songwriter of the rock band Dire Straits from 1977 to 1995. He pursued a solo career after the band dissolved, and is now an independent artist.

Knopfler was born in Glasgow, and raised in Blyth, near Newcastle. After graduating from the University of Leeds and working for three years as a college lecturer, Knopfler co-founded Dire Straits with his younger brother, David Knopfler. The band recorded six albums, including Brothers in Arms (1985), one of the best-selling albums in history. After Dire Straits disbanded in 1995, Knopfler began a solo career, and has produced ten solo albums to date.[1] He has composed and produced film scores for nine films, including Local Hero (1983), Cal (1984), The Princess Bride (1987), Wag the Dog (1997) and Altamira (2016).[2] He has produced albums for Tina Turner, Bob Dylan, and Randy Newman.

Described by Classic Rock as a virtuoso,[3] Knopfler is a fingerstyle guitarist and was ranked 27th on Rolling Stone's list of the "100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time".[4] With Dire Straits, Knopfler sold between 100 million and 120 million records.[5][6] A four-time Grammy Award winner, Knopfler is the recipient of the Edison Award, the Steiger Award and the Ivor Novello Award, as well as holding three honorary doctorate degrees in music from universities in the United Kingdom.[7][8] Knopfler was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Dire Straits in 2018.[9]

  1. ^ Knopfler, Mark (2005–2013). "Mark Knopfler: Discography of studio albums". Markknopfler.com. Archived from the original on 18 April 2009. Retrieved 30 May 2013.
  2. ^ "Mark Knopfler Biography". The Biography Channel. Archived from the original on 4 February 2008. Retrieved 4 March 2008.
  3. ^ "Album of the Week Club Review: Dire Straits – Brothers in Arms". Louder. 21 May 2018. Archived from the original on 26 October 2019. Retrieved 26 October 2019.
  4. ^ "The 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time:Mark Knopfler". Rolling Stone. 18 September 2003. Archived from the original on 21 June 2013. Retrieved 26 April 2013.
  5. ^ Alexander, Michael (20 October 2017). "Dire Straits reunion 'not on the horizon', says band founder John Illsley ahead of Tayside gigs". The Courier of Dundee. Retrieved 13 March 2018.
  6. ^ "Dire Straits given plaque honour". BBC. 4 December 2009. Archived from the original on 17 March 2014. Retrieved 16 October 2011.
  7. ^ "Sunderland honours Sultan of Swing". University of Sunderland. Archived from the original on 19 October 2013. Retrieved 28 November 2013.
  8. ^ "Third Honorary Degree". MarkKnopfler.com. 5 July 2007. Archived from the original on 14 July 2011. Retrieved 10 October 2010.
  9. ^ Greene, Andy (13 December 2017). "Nina Simone, Bon Jovi, Dire Straits Lead Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 2018 Class". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 28 June 2018. Retrieved 29 January 2018.