Mk with EC tour in 1988

[ybot]

Why did Mark(and Alan Clark) tour with EC?
Friendship, money? both?

[dmg]

Why did Mark(and Alan Clark) tour with EC?
Friendship, money? both?

You'd probably have to ask Mark but he has said in the past that the only way to get better is by playing with other good musicians.  Remember there wasn't an album to promote so he maybe just wanted to keep his hand in.

He actually toured some dates in '87 and a RAH residency in '89 as well.

[xardas]

For me it was strange when i read eric claptons biography and he didnt
mentioned that tour at all. Also Mark was only once breafly mentioned.

[ds1984]

Exact reason and how these did set up is unknown but it sounds like friendship between both and certainly not a money matter.
Mark being free, and getting an opportunity of touring again without the pressure of DS nor too many concerts to perform.
At the time Mark needed to breathe off Dire Straits.




 

[the visitor]

Exact reason and how these did set up is unknown but it sounds like friendship between both and certainly not a money matter.
Mark being free, and getting an opportunity of touring again without the pressure of DS nor too many concerts to perform.
At the time Mark needed to breathe off Dire Straits.

Yes, I heard this too, probably from an interview.  I think off the back of the BIA tour Mark was just looking to keep himself up and running and in good form - also gave him chance to get away from his home situation, which he referred to on the BBC Radio 2 interview, but not this tour specifically.

Clapton can first be traced with MK back on stage in December 1985 where he joined Dire Straits on stage at the Hammersmith Odeon.  Check recordings of 19th December 1985 and 22nd December, both being great.   I read Eric enjoyed playing with younger musicians who had respect for him.

[ybot]

Mk and EC shared some stages at Prince Trust in the 80s and MK was par of the EC band by 1987 1988

I believe, Mark owed Eric one when Eric took Jack Sonni place in Mandela.

Have Jack ever played with DS ever since? No. I guess he had some issue

[ybot]

Besides, at Mandela , EC played WOL solos , MFN and his Wonderful tonite.
Mark introduced him in the interlude of WOL . After this song EC was actually forgotten.
It was like Mark introduced the best guitarrist ever and confined him to petty tasks.

[ds1984]

Exact reason and how these did set up is unknown but it sounds like friendship between both and certainly not a money matter.
Mark being free, and getting an opportunity of touring again without the pressure of DS nor too many concerts to perform.
At the time Mark needed to breathe off Dire Straits.

Yes, I heard this too, probably from an interview.  I think off the back of the BIA tour Mark was just looking to keep himself up and running and in good form - also gave him chance to get away from his home situation, which he referred to on the BBC Radio 2 interview, but not this tour specifically.

Clapton can first be traced with MK back on stage in December 1985 where he joined Dire Straits on stage at the Hammersmith Odeon.  Check recordings of 19th December 1985 and 22nd December, both being great.   I read Eric enjoyed playing with younger musicians who had respect for him.

Even earlier, Eric was pictured attending Dire Straits during their LOG tour.

[ybot]

LOG tour was at the end of 1982 to 1983
I did not know EC met DS
Did they meet at global concerts?

[jbaent]

In the Michael Oldfield book there is a picture of Clapton with End Bucknell, attending one of the Wembley Arena 1982 shows.

Clapton joined MK on stage at Hammersmith December 1985 concerts, at least the 19th and I think 22nd.

Then Princes Trust 1986 at Wembley Arena, and after that Mk joined Clapton band for some concerts in the UK, Paris, Brussels and maybe some more, then a full tour in 1988 and some RAH dates in 1989, while MK was composing Last Exit to Brooklyn score at home with Guy.

In his biography it just mention that MK was in his band for the 1988 tour, just mention, like if MK was just another random musician hired for the tour.

[allen]

I don't have a BIA album at hand now, if my memory serves me right, MK borrowed a guitar from EC during the BIA recoring session and that is the reason why EC was mentioned in the inner notes of BIA album.  I think they had started their friendship earlier than 1985.

[Eddie Fox]

I recall coming across a picture where you could spot Mark, Eric and David Knopfler, plus Robert Plant and others. Having David in I assume that was taken before his departure from DS which means pre-1980.

As for Eric's book I believe he simply respected the fact that Mark is a very private person. That being said it's not clear how close they are, sometimes it seems they are good buddies but sometimes I tend to believe it's just musical camaraderie. For instance, in the JJ Cale tribute promo video he says he never spoke to JJ about Mark. I was shocked.

[dmg]

I recall coming across a picture where you could spot Mark, Eric and David Knopfler, plus Robert Plant and others. Having David in I assume that was taken before his departure from DS which means pre-1980.

As for Eric's book I believe he simply respected the fact that Mark is a very private person. That being said it's not clear how close they are, sometimes it seems they are good buddies but sometimes I tend to believe it's just musical camaraderie. For instance, in the JJ Cale tribute promo video he says he never spoke to JJ about Mark. I was shocked.

Interesting relationship indeed.  I think perhaps mutual respect.

[ds1984]

The strange thing is that at some point Eric and Mark ware sharing the stage but since the 2003 gig that never happened they never crossed their way again, and most surprisingly Mark never performed on any Crossroads event 

[dmg]

The strange thing is that at some point Eric and Mark ware sharing the stage but since the 2003 gig that never happened they never crossed their way again, and most surprisingly Mark never performed on any Crossroads event 

Not really surprising to me; not since the Monserrat show in 1997 has Mark performed at such a high-profile recorded/televised event with other major stars and it is never going to happen again.