Dire Straits

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Mark Knopfler playing his Gibson Les Paul onstage at Live Aid in London on July 13, 1985
Mark Knopfler looks back on Brothers in Arms – Dire Straits’ “sheer fluke” that made him a reluctant superstar

By Jonathan Horsley Published

Brothers In Arms reinvented Knopfler and gave him more fame than he could handle. 40 years on, in a rare interview, the band look back on the biggest rock album of the '80s

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Guitarists
Mark Knopfler in a solo concert, playing a Les Paul Electric Guitar. Picture taken 7th May 1996. Mark Knopfler performing at City Hall in Newcastle, Tyne and Wear
Why Mark Knopfler’s guitar tech convinced him to play Les Pauls – and how they impacted his tone and playing

By Janelle Borg Published

Knopfler is forever linked to the Fender Strat – however, to successfully convey the emotional weight required on Brothers in Arms, his tech pushed him towards Gibsons

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Guitarists
Auctioneer Luke Hobbs with Baldwin Double Six guitar
A rare 12-string guitar that Dire Straits' Mark Knopfler “borrowed” for 50 years is now up for auction

By Janelle Borg Published

The guitar was originally owned by his friend, Lindisfarne's Jeff Sadler – and was played on the Dire Straits' sophomore album, Communiqué

Guitarists
Mark Knopfler, Dire Straits, Brothers in Arms Tour, 12 July 1985 Wembley Arena
Mark Knopfler on why one of the Dire Straits' most iconic tracks hinges on this four-note guitar intro

By Janelle Borg Published

The Dire Straits guitarist reflects on the songwriting process of some of the band’s classic tracks

Guitarists
Mark Knopfler plays his Fender Stratocaster live in 1985, wearing a cowboy shirt and red terry headband.
Mark Knopfler on 40 years of Dire Straits’ Brothers In Arms – the guitars, the riffs… the pressure of learning to play in time

By Henry Yates Published

From his lucky ’83 Les Paul and Fleetwood Mac-inspired soloing to “getting away with murder” at the sessions, the Dire Straits legend opens up in his most revealing interview in years

Guitarists
JANUARY 01: NASHVILLE Photo of Mark KNOPFLER and David HUNGATE and Chet ATKINS, L-R Mark Knopfler, David Hungate and Chet Atkins performing on stage
Mark Knopfler looks back on his jams with fellow fingerstyle legend Chet Atkins

By Matt Owen Published

The pair traded licks after the release of Brothers in Arms, and went on to release an album together

Guitarists
Mark Knopfler performs on stage at Mediolanum Forum on May 10, 2019 in Milan, Italy
Mark Knopfler on the treasured Gibson he received as a gift from a rock hero – which became his studio go-to

By Janelle Borg Published

Last year, Knopfler parted ways with 120 of his prized instruments for charity, including much of the Brothers in Arms gear

5 Comments
Guitarists
Mark Knopfler, Dire Straits, Brothers in Arms Tour, 12 July 1985 Wembley Arena
Mark Knopfler on why he doesn't consider himself a “guitar god” – and the ones in the industry who deserve that title

By Janelle Borg Published

40 years after the release of the Dire Straits’ seminal album, Brothers in Arms, Knopfler reflects on that game-changing period and why he was always a reluctant rock star

10 Comments
Guitarists
Mark Knopfler
Mark Knopfler recorded this solo on a cheap guitar – but it’s still his favorite

By Phil Weller Published

One iconic cut from his solo work sticks out for the right reasons, Knopfler believes

3 Comments
Guitarists
Kurt Cobain, Chuck Berry, Slash, and Ritchie Blackmore
Nirvana track named the best guitar riff of all time by surprising new study

By Phil Weller Published

Many of the big hitters feature, but not where you’d expect them to be – and there are some notable absences, too

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