In Conversation With Mark Knopfler - 19th Jan 2024 | Christie's Guitar Auction 

My mother passed in her 80’s. Alzheimer’s. Before she was deep into she fell in love with Brothers In Arms, the song and the album. When she was deep into the illness she still loved it. You would see her go that place. Good vision being important, I can’t listen to it while driving. On behalf of my Mother and myself, thanks Mark.

This man taught himself to be one of the best guitarists in history way before the internet. Pure raw genius and drive.

I watch this with a heavy heart as, to me, it signifies the end of an era of some of the finest music the world has ever heard. With Knopfler's music I thought we would all live forever. God bless you Mark Knopfler.

I could listen to Mark speak all day and night. For all the success and money he's seen over the years, what a truly humble man he is. A real legend.

The GOAT in Music. A truly unique, humble and talented guitarist and songwriter. Keep working hard Mark, we all appreciate your passion for making music.

Tremendous guitarist, fantastic storyteller, brilliant lyricist, a good and generous man. I'm so grateful I got to see him live on the 2019 concert tour. The man's talent makes my heart sing.

One of the best guitar players of all time.

To this day, Sultans Of Swing from Alchemy Live, in my mind, is the best live performance from Dire Straits EVER!

Some of those pieces should rest in a kind of museum of modern music ❤

Excellent. So good to hear him speak at length. Some real insights there. When i was very young (in the 60's) there was a sound coming out of our radio that intrigued me. It turned out to be the electric guitar. Once i found that out i had a guitar at the top of my christmas list every year. I never got one (things were tight in my household). Soon as i started work i bought myself a second hand teico with microphonic pick ups and spent nights trying to sound like the Shadows, Burt Weedon, and Duane Eddy. Then one day at work the radio was playing. I hadn't been a great fan of punk - i liked the energy but it just wasn't musical enough for me. Anyway pumping out of the radio was 'The Sultans of Swing'. It struck me silent. The pure and strong rhythm aligned with the crystal clear fender sound was ecstasy to me. And so began a journey of trying to sound like Mark Knopfler. A huge task but it was a sound i simply had to recreate for myself whenever i wanted. I was in the crowd at Hammersmith Odeon in 1983, the night Alchemy was recorded, 23 years old and utterly blown away by what was happening right in front of me. It was like a dream. I was 8 rows from the front and i could feel the notes of John Illsleys bass thumping me in the chest. My senses were alive and i heard every single guitar note with a clarity i'd never known before and i shouted myself hoarse begging for more. Cut to today. I have a fender Tele, a strat and a gibson les paul. And almost every night i go to my spare room for half an hour, sometimes more, and fire them up through an old HH amplifier and i blast my ear drums. Often i play old Dire Straits songs. I can actually give myself that buzz i had 40 years ago at Hammersmith odeon. My fingers are playing them same notes and something deep inside me feels so spiritually satisfied. Mark Knopfler/ Dire Straits gave me so much. And i'm so pleased i saw them about 5 times. The Tunnel of love solo still gives me chills after all these years. Awesome !!!

To me, there is no other guitarist who's written and performed so much brilliant music, storytelling included, as Mark Knopfler. Do peolpe fail to understand the vastness of his talent or why isn't he more rewarded, nowadays? Moreover, he has always come across as a truly kind and humble person. 🫠What a marvelous musician he is. 🙏💙🎶✍️

That was a most enjoyable interview with Mark Knopfler. No Ego…No Arrogance…No boasting. Just his modest sharing, with us, of the wonderful music + times he’s experienced with his guitars…a lovely man, thank you! 🙋‍♀️😁🎸

I saw him live once, in small venue in the Bay Area… by the end of the show I was moved to tears, deeply touched by the simplicity and beauty of his music and the connection I felt with him that night. He was clearly grateful for the opportunity to make a living from the art that comes through him and for his audience’s appreciation of his music. I can still feel his humility and it touches me deeply. Thank you Mark… the words fall short, but they need to be spoken. 💛

When I was 14 or so I got a cassette tape from a guy in class, he said you listen to this, the Brothers in arms album, and I remember thinking that this was the first time I really heard music. Thank you Mark Knopfler.

How lucky many of our generation are to grow up with Dire Straits and Mark’s music. About 12 years old I became a fan and bought the first album and stayed with them through to Brothers in Arms and seen them live many times in those years. I have to admit I went off them a bit with songs like Money for Nothing and Calling Elvis. But this band had total classics like Lady Writer, Romeo and Juliet, the Tunnel of Love, Sultans of Swing, Telegraph Road and more and so Mark definitely goes down as a rock legend. The theme tune from Local Hero also gets me every time. And I greatly admire that Mark ended up writing and playing the type of music that he enjoyed, even if by then it wasn’t for me. Thank you for sharing your genius with us Mark. 🙏🙏

Mark helped save rock n roll for me in the late 70s when I was despairing about the state of rock. Eternally grateful for the man and his wonderful music.

The Man of iconic legend in the world music history. He wrapped this planet with love&happiness, comfort&togetherness within those breathtaking and mind-blowing guitar sound and incredible singing stories that became as trademarks and milestones in human lives. Dire Straits forever! My sincere, heartfelt wishes of health, passion, patience and persistence to Mark. All the best from Ukraine!

Love this man. Love how he speaks. Just enjoy listening to him. Such a gentle soul.

A true creative genius. Guitar playing, song writing, arrangements and production all gold standard. You cannot manufacture such multifaceted talent. He did the hard yards and that is reflected in his humility and appreciation of his followers. Long may he continue to make magnificent music.

My all-time favourite musician❤❤

There will only ever be one Mark Knopfler. Music hero and legend. I've listened to his music since the 80's. Saw him in concert in 1991 the Every Street tour. I loved solo career as well. So much good music. Thank you Mark. Sincerely Thank you.

Mark's so humble for being such a brilliant guitarist , songwriter and storyteller . One of the best of the best Chet Atkins recognized Marks playing right away !

A wonderful artist and man, his work has accompanied me all my adult life. I wish you health, Mr. Marek 🇮🇩 greetings from Poland

Iam 83 and play the banjo. Maybe that why I love Marks playing. Also love how humble he is

Mark is the best!!!!!🥰🎸🎶

Mark is magical 😁 Fingers, lyrics, humor, with or without his guitares.

I sold Mark the 2003 Brazilian Blue '57 Les Paul Custom Shop Reissue that he loved for years... It was the 9th highest seller in this Auction ! Cheers Mark ! Glad you enjoyed it for years and it did well for you !

Legend of Legends. Enjoy while we can people because we're never getting anyone else like him.

I wish there was a way to stop people like Mark from getting old, truely breaks my heart to see such a wonderful person age and have trouble doing the thing that made their life so tremendous.

Such a beautiful soul, excellent guitar man. I will forever cherish the two concerts I was able to watch him live. I love you man. This f.cked up world is a prettier place just because of you.

What a great interview. Watched Dire Straits live with my mom and dad in the 80s as a teenager. My dad loves Dire Straits. They are both 79 now and he has early stage dementia but he still listens to you everyday. I always tell him we watched you live but he can't remember. Love you Mark I grew up as a teenager with you as a big part of my life with my dad always playing your music ❤

It feels so humble and simultaneously smart to give these instruments to people and fans.

Mr. Mark Knopfler. You are truly the most gifted musician, and guitarist ever. It doesn’t take shredding, speed and dazzling showmanship to qualify as the best. It takes God given talent! Your whole approach is unique and deeply moving. You bring chills and tears as your heart and passion cascades from your guitar. You have "it" brother! Love you Mark.

Absolutley amazing musician , wrote some absolute belters . Thanks for all those great songs. 🎸🎸🎸

Oh! A new album on its way!! Thank you!🎶💕

Saw this man play in Sacramento in about '95. Wow, he remains one of my very favorite guitarists/songwriters/performers!

Walk of Life was the top hit on the radio during the week I was in the hospital after apendix surgery when I was 13. It was pretty scary at the time and that song helped me enjoy the time during my recovery. Thanks Mark.

My dad owned the Sultans single in 1978 when I was 5 years old. He would sit down calmly every Sunday, close his eyes and play it. At the time I thought it was boring. I then 'rediscovered' it in 1983 when I was 10 and was captivated. Since then I have seen Mark live many times with and without the Straits but, for me, most memorably with The Notting Hillbillies in 1990 at the (now demolished) 1,000 capacity Civic Centre in Aylesbury, Bucks. Aside from seeing my kids born, probably the single most enjoyable day of my life. Sad to see old age catching up with my hero but none of us are immune. What a legacy the man has given us.

Interviews with this man are such a joy to listen to. I hope they can continue for for a very long time ❤️

Outstanding artist: singer, guitarist, composer, storyteller

Man what a legend. Saw him at Greek theater in Berkeley, Californian some years ago and it was a warm and endearing night full of sweet melodies. Never forget it

Notre guitariste préféré depuis 40 ans .nous l’écoutons souvent et sans aucune lassitude.merci Mark

One of the greatest artists ever. Mark and his guitars continue to spread beauty and hope as they have been doing for decades.

What particularly impresses me about Mark is his humorous, nice and above all normal way of communicating, no airs and graces like so many other famous people. He simply passes on all the love and recognition of his phenomenal musical career and that's what makes him and his music so lovable...

Such a well mannered nice guy and a fabulous player 🎸

The Pensa Suhr is a real masterpiece and MK is the Master.

God bless this amazing man. True gift for the world of music.

Why Worry... is one of my all time favourites. It has been an anthem for me. I am truly grateful that you 'bothered'. It has provided light when things are dark. And as you have said before MK - songs go out into the world and make a life of their own. This one truly did. Thank you.

Спасибо Марк за творчество!👍👍👍

Mark has given me the most musical pleasure throughout all my life, and I am 70 years of age now. Marks guitar playing has often brought me to tears with his moving methods of emotional crescendos and his individual riffs and techniques that you don't hear from any other guitarist , etc. I have not long left on this planet, but I wish I could just meet Mark, not to worship him, not to be over fanatical, not at my age, but just to shake his hand and to thank him for what he has done for me and that emotional way he has made me feel so often, so many times. Like "Tunnel of love, there it is in a nutshell, its just emotion distilled to me, mounting and mounting in my heart as it hits me. His music and the way he plays just sends me to somewhere special. So God Bless you Mark, thanks so very much mate. You have little idea what your playing means to me. Many will feel the same I know. Mark, you are a special musician, so rare with a gift that I cannot describe. Thanks so much for being there and for doing what you do!

Greatest guitar player ever in my opinion. An auction like this is a somewhat sad occasion, on the other hand it's impermance that gives things value. End of an era.

Such a sweet heart. Met him on the shoot of Jim Henson's Faffner Hall at Lee Studios in Wembley many years ago. Thank you Mark for all the joy you have bought to people over the many years. God bless you!!

Felicidades. Mark, tu música, talento y tu legado siguen vigente .. gran trabajo.. son para siempre .. simpático y humilde un maestro. Gracias.

One of the most unique sounding guitar player of our time.

Mark❤ is the man. I hear he’s working on a new album. I hope so. I’ve seen him on tour so many times. My favorite musician.

What a great video. He's a real gem. Love his antidotes.

Mark is a talented genius and a gentleman.

Hi Mark thank's...from Italy ❤

I first saw Mark live at the Hammersmith Odeon in the mid eighties and i was hooked, that evening did include a intentional mistake and he said 'what do you expect Eric Clapton!' With that Mr Clapton joined him on stage😊 , then upon closing he told the story of Hank Marvin being an influence, then Hank joined him for Local Hero tune 'going home'. It seems like only yesterday.

It's very refreshing to hear Mark Knopfler reminiscing about the times with his band and guitar journey. It's wonderful to think that each of his guitars has a notable and unforgettable experience. As someone who didn't grew up in his era but a listener of Mark Knopfler’s works, I cherish the kind of events with the interviews of veteran musicians. I learned so much from the history and memories they carry.

A Legend that inspired so many of us picking up the guitar in the first place. A gentleman and down to earth as well. Tremendous respect for you Mr Mark Knopfler

My man... brings us a tons of more unplugged videos like this. It's a truly pleasure to see you and hear you in a non so common format, as crystal clear and as sharp like you've been there. Please take care, as much as you can. We're all really enthusiastic on the new album and we really hope to hear a lot more from you! Long life and all the best, Maestro.

A true class guy.

Wonderful musician, many happy hours listening to Dire Straits, thank you so much to Mark Knopfler.

Legend🙏

Already a legend. Unique. To this day his music accompanies me through highs and lows.

mark knopfler is talking like a philosopher about his beauties ... first concert in bremen, i went with my school-bike ... on their wtour '19 to hannover, i went with my old merc beauty ... and enjoyed it heavily just a few metres away from the stage ... keep rockin' buddy ...

Oh, look at this audience…Bless them ALL…Do they even know?"…Simply grateful to still be here, loving music…X

Sultans of Swing is in my opinion the most fun song to play, the guitar playing is fabulous!! I love the words and the melody!!

Where are those lifetime achievement awards this marvelous songwriter and musician has deserved for a long time? ✍️🎸🎶 Give them to Mark Knopfler, now please. 🙏

Great guy. Love him.

Eu tenho 65 anos e conheci Dire Straits ainda na minha juventude e posso garantir que não deixei de ouvir a banda ,porque tinha os LPs e meus filhos cresceram ouvindo a banda e MK solo.E me agradecem imensamente esta motivação. Os dias só começam para mim,após ouvir MK ate hoje!

So much of his music is bookmarks in so much of my life.

Thanks for the music, Mr. Knopfler and your views on these magnificent instruments.

Perhaps the greatest living musician, producer, lyricist, singer, songwriter and absolute virtuoso player. Blessed to have seen him, almost 40 years ago.

He's so deep into the individual sound of a guitar he relates it trainspotting. Very high praise indeed. All my life I thought Mark was American. Wow I was wrong. I'm sure his incredible instruments will sell for absolute top dollar. Many are the stuff of modern music history.

Mark "genius" Knopfler💪👏🎸🎸🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷

You Sir, you're a LEGEND!!

Your hours of practice, persistent and live music have given me joy, thanks

Mark is my Hero. I grew up listening to Dire Straits from my father vinyl collection and then to all Mark solo albums. I'm so grateful to this man for what he has created and still do. These days I'm listening to Mark music with my daughter.

Such a gentle soul, with self-effacing humor. I can listen to Mark for hours. The world is blessed with his presence in it.

legend. My favorite composer and player.

A friend of mine who plays and I were talking about our favorite guitars. I brought up the fact that their general outline is that of a woman's torso and that when you hold it there's a feeling there unlike you get with other inanimate objects. Parting with these fillies out of his stable had to carry some real pain with it. He'll never again get to feel how that neck felt as it lays in your fretting hand, how (when your strap is adjusted just right) the body snugs in against yours almost like when you're spooning with your sweetie, and how you KNOW the overall reliability is there when you pick it up. Those feelings aren't given up easily. Mr. Knopfler reminds me a lot of Chet Atkins: always a gentleman willing to put the work in to make it look easy, a true craftsman with the notes he plays as HE plays them, and grateful for the luck and the blessings he's enjoyed over his musical life. I feel that he never 'faxed it in' anytime he played in public. That would have cheapened the 'shared celebration'. Time to hunt up that auction night video if it exists out there...

His mentor was Chet Atkins, the best guitar picker in music history.

One of the Worlds best guitarists, and also so humble, with a great sense of humor! I just love his music, and of course i have my favorites. Don't we all?

I've loved this - dire straits still today truly give me goosebumps, lovin hearing his true thoughts ❤

Amoooo mark knopfler ❤❤❤

Saw Mark in concert twenty years ago. Wonderful player and singer 😎🎸

Mark has a magical voice. It's no wonder that his songs haunt your ears once you hear him. Talented artist extraordinaire.

Todo un maestro y caballero!!!

Best musician & also Mark's interview so far. I've seen. .. something that most of us can appreciate as a " master" of our trade . REAL PEOPLE, humbled by the blessings we've been given of our gifts, skills, & talents.. injecting the ' humor' of our journey, struggles & challenges. My respect of this ' master artesian ' of his trade, goes beyond gratitude, humbleness, appreciation. He's truly a gift to us all !!

It’s sort of depressing to see him so old. I vividly remember him from Live Aid and it’s unbelievable how fast time has gone by. I don’t feel old but I guess I must be. Time truly is the most valuable resource ever.

Gawd Damn…Mark - you really are the G.O.A.T. in so many ways. That’s the thing about Knopfler - he’s the whole package…the real deal. A Guitar God, a musician’s musician, and so articulate, kind, funny, a great composer as well. The OST from Local Hero and Cal are some of my favourites. Thank you, Mark, and the lads from Dire Straights. God Bless.

Oh, Mark. What a tremendous gift to the let go of all these instruments.

Symbiotic relationship with collaboration at the heart with people and tools of the trade. What an ear that he can pinpoint the exact guitar for his songs. Sailing to Philadelphia...such a fantastic song taught me so much about Gordie boys! 🪶💕❤️💕🌿🕊️

I have argued for 35 years and I will argue for 35 more that knopfler should be in the top 5 greatest guitar players ever, I've seen the edge from u2, Kurt cobain, and some other tuppence hapenny name, never in a million years were those anywhere near knopflers level

Anyone can make a guitar make some noise, or even make enjoyable noise, riffs etc, but no one makes a guitar tell a story, so mark, my fav musician, always remember if you find any list with the top 500 with the top 1000 or with the top 10 guitarists in the world, ignore them all because you are and always will be number 001. I guess I could say thanks for the music, but I could say that to many great guitarist, but to you only, my friend, can I say thank you for the emotions and the memories that no other guitar has ever given so beautifully. A huge thank you.

An outstanding guitarist & songwriter ! I love to hear your guitar sing

Kinda breaks my heart, but I also understand.

He is such a lovely funny personality. Dry wit very humble and he knows what he’s doing.