Mark Knopfler

Mark Freuder Knopfler OBE (born August 12, 1949 in Glasgow, Scotland) is a British guitarist, singer, and songwriter. He is best-known as the lead guitarist and vocalist for the band Dire Straits, but has also made albums as a solo performer and played in other bands (such as the Notting Hillbillies). He has also performed on work by other artists, such as Bob Dylan, and produced albums for artists such as Tina Turner, Randy Newman, and (again) Dylan. In addition, he has scored the music to several films, including Local Hero, The Princess Bride, Cal, Last Exit to Brooklyn and Wag the Dog.

Related Topics:
August 12 - 1949 - Glasgow - Scotland - British - Guitar - Singer - Dire Straits - Notting Hillbillies - Bob Dylan - Tina Turner - Randy Newman - Local Hero - The Princess Bride - Cal - Last Exit to Brooklyn - Wag the Dog

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Mark's family moved from Glasgow to Newcastle upon Tyne in the mid-1950s. He was classically trained on the guitar as a teenager. Knopfler worked as a journalist for the Yorkshire Evening Post, and then as a lecturer at Loughton College, before he became a full-time musician in the late 1970s. He is noted for being left-handed, but playing right-handed, and for fingerpicking instead of strumming or using a plectrum; fingerpicking is usually associated with the acoustic guitar, but Knopfler usually (though not always) plays an electric guitar, particularly the Fender Stratocaster. Although at present he has a signature guitar from Fender, he is also known for his signature Pensa-Suhr MK series (now known as Pensa).

Related Topics:
Newcastle upon Tyne - 1950s - Yorkshire Evening Post - Loughton College - 1970s - Fingerpicking - Plectrum - Acoustic guitar - Electric guitar - Fender - Stratocaster

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Knopfler and his associated bands have sold over 100 million albums, and performed live to audiences totalling many millions. He has twin sons (Benji and Joseph, born 1987), and two daughters Isabella (1998) and Katya (2003). Mark holds a degree in English from Leeds University and has been awarded an honorary music degree from Newcastle University.

Related Topics:
1987 - 1998 - 2003 - English - Leeds University - Newcastle University

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~