HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARK KNOPFLER !!!! Today Mark turns 75. Join me in celebrating his music.

[SamKnause]

If you don't know who Mark is, he was the founder of Dire Straits.

He is a writer, storyteller, composer, and outstanding guitar player.

After Dire Straits disbanded he started the Notting Hillbillies.

He composed and produced film scores for 9 films. (The Princess Bride, Wag The Dog, Local Hero, etc.)

He has played with too many musicians to list them all.

He continues his solo career to this day.

Dire Straits Alchemy live is outstanding. They were at the top of their game.

Here are a few of my favorite songs by Dire Straits and Mark alone:

Telegraph Road (DS)
Ride Across The River (DS)
Calling Elvis (DS)
Heavy Fuel (DS)
Sultans of Swing (DS)
You and Your Friend (DS)
Brothers in Arms (DS)
When It Comes To You (DS)

Je Suis Desole (MK & the Notting Hillbillies)
Why Aye Man (MK & the Notting Hillbillies)
Imelda (MK)
I Dug Up A Diamond (MK & Emmylou Harris)
Cleaning My Gun (MK)
Boom Like That (MK)

Please join me in wishing Mark a happy and healthy birthday.

Feel free to post your favorite videos of Mark performing.

[BuddhaGirl]

1. Happy Birthday to one of my

very favorite musicians!!

Some of my favorite Mark Knopfler songs are also on your list. He is a phenom, IMO

[SamKnause]

2. Thank you.

I absolutely adore him.

His talents are otherworldly.

I have watched every interview and documentary I can find.

I watched the auction in January when 200 of his guitars were auctioned off.

He gave 25% of the profits to charity.

Everyday I find something new to admire him for.

[Reader Rabbit]

3. His soundtrack game is strong, as well.

?si=Jw72gZdOM_s4o3PF

[SamKnause]

7. Thank you for your reply and the video.

[yardwork]

4. Mark Knopfler is one of my very favorite musicians

Some of my favorite songs, in addition to ones you mentioned, are Tunnel of Love, Romeo and Juliet, and Skateaway from Making Movies.

I also love Sailing to Philadelphia and All the Roadrunning.

Have you seen the YouTube videos by the guy who does songs "if they were performed by Dire Straits?" He's amazing.

[SamKnause]

5. Thank you for your reply.

Tunnel of Love and Skateaway are excellent as well.

There are just too many to list.

Yes, I have heard the videos on YouTube "if they were performed by Dire Straits".

He does an excellent job.

No one can touch Mark's talent on the guitar.

He has his own unique sound and I love it.

[BuddhaGirl]

6. I love Sailing to Philadelphia

And also from the same album, What it is.

[yardwork]

11. Yes! Love the whole album.

[DFW]

31. Saved me the trouble!

Those are two of my favorite all time songs as well.

[Bayard]

8. Happy Birthday, Mark!

A musical genius!

[SamKnause]

9. Thank you.

He is indeed !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[lastlib]

10. I liked "Down to the Water Line"

...and numerous other DS songs, incl. Telegraph Road and Sultans of Swing.

A very gifted musician! Happy Birthday, Mark!

[SamKnause]

14. As you said too numerous.

I like Down To The Water Line, 6 Blade Knife, In The Gallery etc.

It is hard to find a bad song.

Thanks for your reply.

[Dulcinea]

12. Skateaway is one of my favorites.

[SamKnause]

15. Thank you.

I love that one.

[SalviaBlue]

13. Brothers in Arms

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[SamKnause]

16. Thank you.

The guitar in that song can rip your guts out.

It is hauntingly beautiful !!!!

[SalviaBlue]

23. I know! It kills me every time.

[SamKnause]

25. Thank you for your input.

It is truly unbelievable.

[BuddhaGirl]

37. Agreed about the guitar

And it really is a beautiful song!!

[SamKnause]

39. Thank you for your input.

There are so many versions of all of his songs.

This is not my favorite version, but it hard to find fault.

When words won't do, Mark lets the guitar talk in a language we can all understand.

[OMGWTF]

17. Mark Knopfler is my audiophile husband's favorite musician.

I like "Don't Crash the Amublance" and 'Baloney Again.' Good stuff! Knopfler plays with the Seattle Symphony at Benaroya Hall when he's in town.

[SamKnause]

18. Thank you.

Have you heard him play at the Symphony ???

He is my favorite guitar player.

His style is so unique.

To write the words, write the music, compose the music, sing the song, and play lead guitar like no other just blows my mind !!!

I just listened to 8 new songs from him.

They weren't among the ones that were released in April.

There were some excellent songs among them.

Wrong Un was my favorite.

I have already listened to it 5 times.

I feel like it is my birthday.

[ProfessorGAC]

19. Saw Them On...

...the Brothers In Arms tour. We, by shear luck, got phenomenal seats.
6th or 7th row, dead center. We were 25' from Mark all night.

[SamKnause]

20. What a night you must of had !!!

I would have been crying half the night and smiling the other half.

He is so talented I am in awe of him.

I am 71.

I have loved music my whole life.

No ones music has the effect on me like Marks.

I am not alone.

I lost count at 25 videos of people crying after watching The Sultans of Swing Alchemy live. (Men and Women)

I could understand if it was Brothers In Arms.

They were just blown away by Mark and Dire Straits.

I think I am obsessed with him, but I don't care.

[ProfessorGAC]

21. I Still Remember...

...that they opened with Lady Writer.
It was at the Uptown Theater in Chicago. With those great acoustics the sound of the band was excellent.
I don't play anything like Mark, but I admire his ability to play super clean tones.
I actually lost some interest in them when Mark started messing with distortion.

[SamKnause]

29. Thank you for your input.

I like Lady Writer, 6 Blade Knife, In The Gallery, Once Upon A Time In The West, Wild West End, etc.

I like both styles.

I like Heavy Fuel and Imelda.

I like the clear crisp tones and I like when he makes the guitar growl.

[pecosbob]

22. One of the most beautigul songs I ever heard...

You can fall for chains of silver you can fall for chains of gold
You can fall for pretty strangers and the promises they hold
You promised me everything you promised me thick and thin yeah
Now you just say oh Romeo yeah you know I used to have a scene with him

[SamKnause]

26. Thank you for the video.

Mark has a way with words.

When words fail him, his guitar takes over.

[TheKentuckian]

24. Underrated. One of the greatest at conveying emotion through the guitar.

Despite the hits still under appreciated.

[SamKnause]

27. Thank you for your post.

I agree on both counts.

[rogerballard]

28. Last Exit To Brooklyn

[SamKnause]

30. Thank you for the video.

Mark is truly gifted.

[DFW]

32. This was my video parody tribute to Mark Knopfler:

[SamKnause]

34. Thank you for the video.

Well done.

[GoodRaisin]

33. Love Mark Knopfler and Dire Straits. 2 of my favs here -

Why Aye Man

?si=OWcmtO6xTK4q5WHf

Once Upon a Time in the West part 1

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part 2

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[SamKnause]

35. 2 of my all time favorites !!!

I play Why Aye Man first thing when I wake up.

I start the day off with a smile.

[Ex Lurker]

36. Here he is with Clapton.

Clapton can barely keep up with him

[SamKnause]

38. Thank you for the video.

I watched the full concert yesterday.

Eric played with Dire Straits.

Mark played with Eric's band.

[BuddhaGirl]

40. Just noticed Boom Like That on your list

I love that one one too

[SamKnause]

42. Thank you for the video.

I listen to this at least once a day, usually more.

[kcr]

41. One of my favorites:

[SamKnause]

43. Thank you.

Another favorite of mine.

I have realized all of them are my favorites.

Perfection and Masterpieces one after another.

What a gift Mark is to this world.

[2 Meow Momma]

44. His is the music of a nice time in my life!

I must have listened to Skateaway about a million times!

[SamKnause]

45. Thank you for your input.

Skateaway is a great song.