| Cool rock and roll man Date of Birth: 12.08.1949 Country: Great Britain |
Mark Knopfler is a British rock musician, singer, and composer, best known as one of the founders of the rock band Dire Straits. He was born on August 12, 1949, in Scotland, with the full name Mark Freuder Knopfler. His father, an architect by profession, had to emigrate from Hungary to Scotland in 1939 due to his anti-fascist views and Jewish ethnicity. In Glasgow, he met and married a schoolteacher named Louisa Mary. Mark has an older sister named Ruth and a younger brother named David.
Mark's family moved to Newcastle, England when he was 7 years old. Like many rock musicians, Mark did not receive specialized education. However, his family was musically inclined, with his father playing multiple instruments. Mark's father became his first teacher, teaching him to play the piano and violin. However, Mark's preference was for the guitar. Country music was the soundtrack of his childhood and became the foundation of his future musical career. In school, Mark excelled in English, which led him to pursue journalism in technical college at the age of 18.
After completing his journalism course, Mark worked as a junior reporter for a newspaper in Leeds. It was there that he met local artist and guitarist, Steve Phillips. Their friendship eventually led to the decision to form a duo called the Duolian String Pickers in the late 1960s. Mark continued his work as a journalist while pursuing his music career. Steve played a significant role in Mark's career, becoming his teacher and introducing him to the intricacies of country-style guitar playing.
In 1973, on the day Mark graduated from university with a degree in English language and literature, he moved to London with the bold and confident decision to become a musician. In 1977, the Knopfler brothers, along with their friend John Illsley, formed the band Dire Straits. Shortly after, Pick Withers joined the group, and it was he who suggested the band's name, which translates to "dire circumstances" or, in slang, "no better." The 120 pounds they raised for a demo recording played a decisive role in the careers of the four musicians. The recording was sent to the BBC, and on July 31, their lives took a dramatic turn when their song "Sultans of Swing" garnered praise from listeners and caught the attention of record companies.
Their first album, self-titled "Dire Straits," was released in 1978, with the hit song "Sultans of Swing." Although the album had a short-lived presence on the charts, it laid the foundation for their future success. The band's second album, "Communiqué," was released less than a year later in 1979, achieving popularity in Australia but not in the UK. Mark served as the lead vocalist, guitarist, and composer for the band. In 1982, he composed the soundtrack for the film "Local Hero," showcasing his talent as a composer. The song "Private Dancer," which did not make it onto the band's albums, became a breakthrough for Tina Turner, and some members of Dire Straits even toured with her.
In 1985, the band released their most successful album, "Brothers in Arms," which propelled them to global fame. Dire Straits was recognized as the best band in the world. Over the years, the band underwent several lineup changes, with keyboardists leaving and guitarists joining. Their style evolved from rock with a country influence to a more bluesy sound, thanks to the addition of saxophonist Mel Collins.
In 1995, Mark Knopfler embarked on a solo career while still collaborating with other famous musicians, producing for renowned artists, and composing film soundtracks. He released 10 solo albums and gained a reputation for his ability to play the guitar left-handed on a right-handed instrument. His personal life has been relatively private, but he has been married three times. His first wife was his school sweetheart, Katie White. Ludres Solomon was his second wife, and they were married for 10 years, during which they had twin sons. His third wife is Kitty Aldridge, with whom he has two daughters.
Today, Mark Knopfler resides in Chelsea with his family. Despite occasional criticism from critics regarding his solo performances, he continues to have a loyal fan base and fills concert venues with his devoted listeners. Mark has always prioritized success over fame and has expressed his desire to write music that satisfies his own artistic vision rather than conforming to stereotypes. His career with Dire Straits remains the peak of his fame, with the band disbanding to allow Mark to pursue his solo endeavors.