Knopfler, Mark

Mark Knopfler — guitarist, singer, and songwriter — was born on 12 August 1949 in Glasgow, Scotland. While teaching at Leighton College in 1977, Knopfler formed Dire Straits with his younger brother, David and a group of friends. Their self-titled debut was released in 1978 and spawned a minor hit, “Sultans of Swing”. The band broke worldwide in 1984 with the album, Brothers In Arms. Knopfler has composed a number of film scores and released a successful album with country legend Chet Atkins. Besides performing at charity concerts with Clapton (Princes’ Trust, Free Nelson Mandela Concert, Knebworth 1990, and Music For Montserrat), he toured as Clapton’s second guitarist during 1987, 1988, and the early part of 1989. Knopfler was scheduled to share the bill with Clapton at a charity concert for England’s Teenage Cancer Trust on 25 March 2003. He cancelled his appearance days before the show due to injuries suffered in a motorbike accident in London. Mark and Emmylou Harris released the CD All The Roadrunning in 2006 and toured behind it.