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Hello all, we are now in March, 2012... 'RizMum' blog sure is getting slower now, but as promised I will try my best to keep on going... and its been awhile now since my last post (T_T) and to update this took me almost a year, anyhow, this will be my final year so you guys know how it is when the big "E" comes. So guys, see you in my next post and keep on SHREDDING!!!! And as always please feel free to drop a suggestion/ideas via e-mail, Thanks

Tuesday 20 April 2010

Mark Knopfler (Dire Straits)


Name: Mark Knopfler
Born: 12th August, 1949 (Glasgow, Scotland)

Profile: He is a British guitarist, singer, songwriter, record producer and film score composer. He is best known as the lead guitarist, vocalist and songwriter for the British rock band "Dire Straits".

History: At the age of 7, he and his younger brother David attended 'Gosforth Grammar School', where he was inspired by his uncle Kingsley's harmonica and boogie-woogie piano playing. Later, in his teens, he wanted to buy an expensive Fiesta Red Fender Stratocaster just like Hank Marvin's, but had to settle for a £50 twin-pick-up Höfner Super Solid.

During the 60's, he formed and joined anonymous schoolboy bands. At age 16, he made a local TV appearance as half of a harmony duo along with a friend from school named Sue Hercombe. In 1969, he worked as a part-time lecturer at 'Loughton College' and played with mates in a band called the "Café Racers", during this period. He also played in a few bands such as the "Silver Heels" and "Brewers Droop".

One night while spending some time with friends, the only guitar available was an old acoustic with a badly warped neck that had been strung with extra-light strings to make it playable. Even so, he found it impossible to play unless he finger-picked it. He said, 'That was where I found my "voice" on guitar.'

Knopfler then joined brother David in a band and also found himself another musical partner, John Illsley (initially a guitarist who changed over to bass) and became the only other member of "Dire Straits" to figure throughout the band's career.

Influences: Elvis Presley, Hank Marvin, Chet Atkins, Scotty Moore, B.B King, Django Reinhardt and James Burton

Axology: Fender Stratocasters 1954 sunburst (named 'Jurassic Strat'), Fender 1952 Telecaster, Melancon Pro Artist, Gibson Les Pauls, Danelectro 59 DC, Pensa custom-built solid body guitars, Schecter Telecaster and Stratocaster models, Watkins guitars - Rapier 33, Ramirez Spanish Guitar, Martin Acoustics

Signature song(s): Wild West End and Sultans of Swing - Dire Straits (Dire Straits, 1978)

Link(s):

http://www.markknopfler.com (Official website)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cK7q2RI2zzg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UEnDJmJEk94

"He is one of the most respected fingerstyle guitarists of the modern rock era" - Rolling Stone magazine

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