Happy Birthday Mark Knopfler

Happy Birthday to former Dire Straits guitarist and leader Mark Knopfler, who celebrates his 64th birthday today (August 12th) Knopfler formed Dire Straits in 1977 with his brother David Knopfler, bassist John Illsey, and drummer Pick Withers. They recorded their self-titled debut album after appearing as the opening act for Talking Heads' during their 1978 European tour. Last fall Knopfler served as the opening act on Bob Dylan's tour. The pair first worked together during Dylan's sessions for 1979's Slow Train Coming, with Knopfler going on to play on and co-produce Dylan's 1983 album, Infidels. Last year, Knopfler released his seventh solo album, the critically acclaimed, Privateering. The set has just received been issued domestically.

Their 1978 breakthrough hit, "Sultans Of Swing," established Knopfler as a songwriter-guitarist in the vein of both Bob Dylan and Albert King. Knopfler was a major force throughout the 1980's writing such Dire Straits classics as "Skateaway," "Romeo And Juliet," "Solid Rock," "Twisting By The Pool," as well as "So Far Away," "Money For Nothing," and "Walk Of Life" from the multi-platinum 1985 Brothers In Arms album.

Knopfler folded Dire Straits for good in 1995 and has spent the recent years occasionally playing with the side project the Notting Hillbillies, recording solo albums, and scoring films, most notably Wag The Dog.