Date of Birth

12 August 1949, Glasgow, Strathclyde, Scotland, UK

Mark Knopfler recorded his first single at age 16, but it was never released, He started the band Dire Straits in 1977, they were signed to Vertigo Records in 1978 and recorded the album "Dire Straits", which featured their first major hit single, "Sultans of Swing". Their follow-up albums include "Communique" (1979), "Making Movies" (1980) (featuring "Romeo and Juliet" and "Tunnel of Love"), "Love Over Gold" (Private Investigations) 1982, "Alchemy--Live" (1984). In 1985 the band released its mega-selling album "Brothers In Arms", which has sold more than 30 million copies to date. In 1988 a greatest hits collection was released. That year also saw the band appearing together with Eric Clapton at the Nelson Mandela Tribute at Wembley Stadium, performing seven songs. In 1991 the band returned as a nine-piece group and embarked on a massive two-year world tour to promote their new album, "On Every Street", which included "Calling Elvis", "Heavy Fuel" and "The Bug". Their last album was the live album "On the Night". Knopfler guested on a large number of other artists' albums, including Jeff Healey's "Hell to Pay" and the recent "Read My Licks" by Chet Atkins (1994). He also wrote the soundtrack to five films, including Local Hero (1983) and The Princess Bride (1987). His other band is "The Notting Hillbillies". They released one album in 1991, "Missing...Presumed Having a Good Time" and, having toured Britain, recorded an episode of the TV show "Rock Steady". Knopfler is currently recording a new solo album, which is due for release in March 1995. In 1991 Dire Straits included Knopfler (guitar), John Illsley (bass), Alan Clark and Guy Fletcher (keyboards) with Phil Palmer, Chris White, Chris Whitten, Danny Cummings and Paul Franklin. In autumn of 1997 Knopfler joined Clapton, Sting and others at the Royal Albert Hall in London for a special charity concert in aid of the people of Montserrat. The concert was organized by Sir George Martin. In January 1998, Mark's wife Kitty Aldrige gave birth to their daughter

He plays guitars, built to his specifications by Pensa-Suhr. He also plays a 1936 National, and various Shecter Strats.

1997 Appeared on Radio 4's "A good read", introducing "Goodbye to all that" by Robert Graves

He was awarded the (OBE) Officer of the Order of British Empire in the 2000 Queen's Millennium Honors List for his services to music.

Children: Benji and Joseph (twins), 1987, by second marriage; Isabella, 1998, by third marriage to Kitty Aldridge.

Has a dinosaur named after him (Masiakasaurus knopfleri) - The researchers who discovered bones from six specimens in Madagascar reported that they found the fossils whilst listening to Dire Straits tapes.

Has a signature guitar model, the Martin HD-40MK Mark Knopfler Signature Edition.

Children: Benji and Joseph (twins), 1987, by second marriage; Isabella, 1998, and Katya Ruby Rose, 2003, by third marriage to Kitty Aldridge.

Is left-handed, but plays guitar right-handed (claims that this contributes to his style.)

Dire Straits won the British Phonographic Industry Award for British Group in 1986.

Dire Straits' "Brothers in Arms" won the British Phonographic Industry Award for British Album in 1987.

Dire Straits won the British Phonographic Industry Award for British Group in 1983.

With his band Dire Straits won Grammys in the following categories: "Money for Nothing" (Best Rock Performance By a Duo or Group with Vocal) (1985); "Brothers in Arms" (Best Music Video, Short Form) (1986).

Fender has a signature stratocaster named after him: Fender Mark Knopfler Stratocaster ®. They come only in candy red and with Mark's signature on the headstock.

His song "Private Dancer" was recorded by Tina Turner.

Prior to commencing his career as a professional musician, Knopfler studied journalism at Harlow Technical College and worked for two years as a junior reporter on the Yorkshire Evening Post. In 1973 he graduated in English from Leeds University and became a lecturer at Loughton College in Essex.

Price:  £20.00