Mark Freuder Knopfler was born in Glasgow on August 12, 1949 and raised in Newcastle. By the early 1970s, he had moved to Leeds to study English at Leeds University, playing in local bands on the side. After graduating, he worked briefly as a teacher and journalist, all the while honing his distinctive fingerpicking guitar style influenced by artists like Chet Atkins and J.J. Cale. In 1973, he recorded a demo with a short-lived band called The Duolian String Pickers.
In 1977, Knopfler founded Dire Straits in London with his younger brother David (rhythm guitar), John Illsley (bass), and Pick Withers (drums). The band’s name was a nod to their financial situation at the time. The band recorded a demo tape that included “Sultans of Swing,” which gained traction after being played on BBC Radio London. This led to a record deal and, in 1978, the release of their self-titled debut album. The album was a commercial success, thanks in large part to the popularity of “Sultans of Swing.”
Knopfler quickly gained recognition for his unique fingerstyle guitar technique and his distinctive, clean, melodic sound. As the band’s frontman, lead vocalist, and primary songwriter, he was responsible for many of their early hits. His songwriting, often delivered in a laconic drawl, featured evocative storytelling and a blend of folk, blues, and country influences.
Knopfler’s talent was noticed by other musicians, most notably Bob Dylan. After seeing Dire Straits perform, Dylan was so impressed that he invited Knopfler and drummer Pick Withers to play on his 1979 album, Slow Train Coming. This collaboration further cemented Knopfler’s reputation as a gifted guitarist.
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