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Mark Knopfler

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Artist

Mark Knopfler is a British guitarist, singer, songwriter and producer. He was born in Glasgow in 1949, the son of a Hungarian-Jewish architect who had fled the Nazis in 1939, and grew up in Newcastle. As a teenager he wanted a red Stratocaster like Hank Marvin's, and he listened to Chet Atkins, Scotty Moore, B.B. King and Django Reinhardt. He worked as a journalist in Leeds, studied English and was a lecturer for three years. On an old acoustic guitar with a warped neck he discovered that he could only play with his fingers, without a plectrum. That is how he found his own sound.

Music and breakthrough

In 1977 he started Dire Straits in London, with his brother David, the bassist John Illsley and the drummer Pick Withers. The debut album Dire Straits (1978) only took off when Sultans of Swing was reissued in early 1979. The Netherlands was one of the first countries where the band broke through. Communiqué (1979), Making Movies (1980), with Romeo and Juliet and Tunnel of Love, and Love Over Gold (1982) followed. Brothers in Arms (1985) became one of the best-selling albums ever. Knopfler also wrote film music, including for Local Hero (1983) and The Princess Bride (1987), and produced records for Bob Dylan and Tina Turner. After the end of Dire Straits in 1995 he continued as a solo artist.

Influence

Dire Straits began in the time of punk with short, stripped-down songs, but played narrative songs with long guitar solos in the tradition of blues and country. Knopfler's clear, flowing fingerstyle playing and his almost spoken singing made the band recognisable.

Listening

Listening tip. Listen to Sultans of Swing by Dire Straits and notice the clear electric guitar that Knopfler plays with his fingers. Hear how he plays short runs between the lines and how the solo at the end grows ever faster and fuller.

Discography

Studio albums

In School of Rock

The chapters, maps and magazine stories of School of Rock are currently available in Dutch only.

See also

Categories: Artists