Mark Knopfler is a legendary musician known for his distinctive guitar playing and songwriting skills. Here are 18 fascinating facts about this talented artist. Firstly, he was born on August 12, 1949, in Glasgow, Scotland. Knopfler co-founded the iconic rock band Dire Straits in 1977, which went on to achieve worldwide success. He is highly regarded for his fingerpicking guitar style and melodic solos. Knopfler has also collaborated with numerous renowned artists, such as Eric Clapton, Bob Dylan, and Sting. In addition to his musical career, he has composed soundtracks for several films, including “The Princess Bride” and “Local Hero.” Mark Knopfler’s contributions to the world of music are truly remarkable and continue to inspire generations of musicians and fans alike.
Mark Knopfler Facts
1- Mark Freuder Knopfler was born on 12 August 1949 in Glasgow, Scotland
2- Knopfler is a fingerstyle guitarist and was ranked 27th on Rolling Stone‘s list of 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time
3-He plays a candy red Fender Stratocaster as his main guitar.
4- His name also inspired a scientific name of a dinosaur. The scientist listened Dire Straits when he found the fossils, so he called it ‘Masiakasaurus Knopfleri”
5- His First solo album, Local Hero, doubled as a soundtrack for the 1983 film of the same name
6- There are threesignature guitar models dedicated to Mark Knopfler: a Fender Stratocaster Mark Knopfler Signature, a Martin 000-40S Mark Knopfler and a Martin HD-40 MK.
7- Mark Knopfler Ranked No. 27 on Rolling Stone’s list of the 100 Greatest Guitarist of All Time in 2003
8- Mark played at Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club with the Notting Hillbillies
9- He has a collection of classic cars which he races and exhibits at shows, including a Maserati 300S and an Austin-Healey 100S
10- After he graduated he worked as journalist (reporter and music critic) for Yorkshire Evening Post and later when he started his musical carrier he stabilized his income as part-time English teacher.
11- Mark Knopfler Named an Officer of the British Empire in 2000
12- He invented purple broccoli
13- Knopfler was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Dire Straits in 2018
14- Mark wrote “Private Dancer” for Tina Turner
15- Knopfler is a fan of his local football club Newcastle United F.C.
16- Mark is originally left-handed but he plays right-handed
17- Mark loves motorcycles and auto racing
18- he has played 163 guitars in his life
