Mark Knpfler is 70

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It's been a while since we've had a "birthday boy" be the subject of a posting, but it just so happens that this week, Mark Knopfler of Dire Straits fame has turned 70.

Born in Glasgow, Scotland, Knopfler was raised near Newcastle-upon-Tyrne, England. In 1977 he hooked up with his younger brother, David Knopfler on rhythm guitar to form Dire Straits. For the two decades that they were around, Dire Straits made a name for themselves being one of the best selling bands in the world selling over 120 million records. During the late 70s through the mid 80s, the band had a string of hits such as their signature hit, Sultans of Swing (1978), Romeo and Juliet (1980), So Far Away, (1985) Walk of Life (1985), and another one of their signature hits, Money for Nothing (1986), which features Sting of The Police fame, who in the background ad-libs "I want my MTV" in the melody of The Police hit Don't Stand so Close To Me. Their 1985 record, Brothers in Arms, remains one of the best sellers and went nine times platinum in the US in 1996.

Following the split of Dire Straits, Mark Knopfler released nine solo studio albums, and produced albums for the likes of Tina Turner and Randy Newman. He has also collab'd with numerous musicians most notabely Eric Clapton and was even a part of Clapton's so-called "House Band". Others Knopfler worked with include Chris Rotti, James Taylor, Sting, and Elton John.

In addition to being a successful musician, Mark Knopfler is reponsible for composing the scores of several movies: Local Hero (1983), Carl (1984), The Princess Bride (1987), and Wag The Dog (1997).

In late 2017, Dire Straits were nominated for induction in the Rock'n"Roll Hall of Fame, but Knopfler did not attend the 2018 ceremony calling it "personal." Regarding the shot at a possible reunion, bass player John Illsley is game for it; however, Mark Knopfler has said, and I quote, "I do not miss the global fame and fortune we've had in the twenty years we were around."

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