Mark Knopfler
Dire Straits – The gentleman of fingerpicking
Origins and early years
Mark Freuder Knopfler was born on August 12, 1949 in Glasgow, Scotland, to a Hungarian father and an English mother. He grew up in Newcastle and worked as a journalist and English teacher before dedicating himself fully to music. He formed Dire Straits in 1977 in London with his brother David Knopfler, John Illsley (bass), and Pick Withers (drums).
Their first demo, recorded for just £120, ended up in the hands of a BBC DJ who played “Sultans of Swing” repeatedly on the radio.
Dire Straits
The debut single “Sultans of Swing” (1978) became an immediate worldwide success, driven by Knopfler’s clear tone and distinctive fingerpicking style, completely against the tide of the dominant punk movement of the time. The band followed with major albums including Making Movies (1980), Love over Gold (1982), and especially Brothers in Arms (1985).
Brothers in Arms sold more than 30 million copies, powered by hits such as “Money for Nothing” (featuring Sting on backing vocals) and “Walk of Life”. It was one of the first albums recorded entirely in digital format and one of the earliest blockbuster successes of the CD era. Dire Straits disbanded in 1995 after the On Every Street tour.
Solo career and legacy
Knopfler has enjoyed a prolific solo career (with more than 10 studio albums) and composed famous film soundtracks, including Local Hero (1983), The Princess Bride (1987), and Last Exit to Brooklyn (1989). His fingerpicking technique (without a pick) and his clean, both smooth and sharp tone are instantly recognizable.
Dire Straits was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2018. Knopfler is considered one of the greatest guitarists in history and one of the wealthiest musicians in the United Kingdom, with an estimated fortune of more than £100 million.
Iconic guitars
Mark Knopfler is associated with his red Fender Stratocaster (nicknamed “The Sultans Strat”), the Gibson Les Paul, and the Pensa-Suhr MK1, a custom model specially designed for him by New York luthier Rudy Pensa.
See Mark Knopfler’s guitars:
Gibson Les Paul Aged Artist Proof 06
Baldwin Double Six 1967
