A Mark In Time
Mark Knopfler Discussion => Mark Knopfler Discussion Forum => Topic started by: qjamesfloyd on March 19, 2025, 02:04:38 PM
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I have been listening to lot of songs by The Beatles and solo members lately, and it occurred to me to think about Mark's connection to them, so, here are some of the thing I can think of, please feel free to correct anything and add any other connections I have missed.
Sir Paul McCartney.
Prince's Trust concert 1986 Mark playing on all McCartney songs, Paul seemed to really enjoy what Mark was playing, particularly his solo for I Saw Her Standing There.
Music For Montserrat 1997 Mark playing on Golden Slumbers/Carry That Weight/The End, Hey Jude, Kansas City. Mark playing in a fantastic guitar trio with Paul and Eric Clapton.
Paul's song, Once Upon a Long Ago was written for The Princess Bride but not used, and Mark wrote the music. "It was reported in a 2011 biography that the origin of this song is with the film The Princess Bride. McCartney was approached by Director Rob Reiner to compose a couple of songs and the incidental music for the film. Reiner rejected as “too sentimental” the two songs Paul submitted: “Once Upon a Long Ago” and “Beautiful Night” and contracted with Mark Knopfler to complete the soundtrack." The video for this song has Chris Witten on drums.
Mark played guitar on the Ferry Aid charity single of Let It Be, Paul himself sang and played piano on it too. Mark was also on the video for the song.
Paul was contacted about playing on the 2024 charity version of Going Home, but could not do it due to time constraints. I wonder what Guy wanted him to play? Bass guitar electric? both?
I am surprised that they haven't recorded together, they seem to have a lot of similar musical tastes, and Paul is known for being a fan of guitar players.
John Lennon.
Mark recorded Imagine with Chet Atkins, they also played the song live at various times.
Mark dedicated the Dire Straits performance of News to John Lennon, at a live show 11 days after he was murdered.
Mark wrote the song Rudiger around the time John was murdered, which has lyrics about an autograph hunter.
While Mark is'nt mentioned by name, Mark was part of John's attack on Bob Dylan's song Gotta Serve Somebody" as he played on it. John said: “Well, I was listening to the radio,” he begins, “And Dylan’s new single, or whatever the hell it is, came on. He wants to be a waiter for Christ,” Lennon adds, laughing to himself and his dictaphone, thereafter his critique becomes a bit more caustic. “The backing is mediocre […] the singing’s really pathetic, and the words were just embarrassing,” This comment was a typical one from John at his acid best, it was really directed at Dylan, not Mark.
Mark joined Jimmy Nail to play acoustic guitar on John's song Love, this was live the the Simon Mayo show on BBC Radio 1, 10th November 1995
George Harrison.
Apart from both being friends with Eric Clapton, and the Dylan connection, I can't think of a link, however they must have met, because, I remember someone asking if they had on Guy's forum, and he said yes, and that how nice a man George was. Aswell as for Mark, Chet Atkins was George's guitar hero.
Sir Ringo Starr.
Ringo played drums on the Going Home charity single from 2024
Sir George Martin.
Dire Straits recorded their album Brothers in Arms at Air Montserrat which was built and owned by George.
Mark was on the British TV show, The Ghost of Faffner Hall, he played acoustic guitar and was joined by George Martin on piano and Paddy Moloney on the Tin Whistle. They appeared in episode 3 "Sound Becomes Music"
George arranged the strings and conducted the orchestra for the Dire Straits song Ticket to Heaven from the On Every Street album.
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To be honest, I think the links between Mark and The Beatles are very distant and unimportant.
Paul is a completely different character.
Regarding charity records and concerts, often different people get thrown together and they all want to make it work and sound good. I would put no further weight behind it.
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And FWIW, in the sessions immediately before I started working with Paul, he had invited Dave Gilmour to play on some of the songs, not MK.
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MK played the Day Tripper riff in the live outro of Industrial Disease.
He revealed on one of the interviews last year I think that the first album he bought was The Beatles?
George Harrison said in 1992 that the last "new" album he had enjoyed was Brothers in Arms:
https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/band-that-made-george-harrison-fall-back-in-love-with-music/
I remember an interview with Paul M in the early 90s where he said he had run into MK just before the OES tour started and MK had asked what the world was like for touring at that point.
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Thanks for the George link, I never knew he liked Dire Straits.
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I hear a lot of Beatles in "Skydiver"
LE
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https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/the-beatles-song-mark-knopfler-called-pure/
Found this about MK's relation with the Beatles. Quick google, first hit, might be more.
LE
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Good find :thumbsup
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https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/the-beatles-song-mark-knopfler-called-pure/
Found this about MK's relation with the Beatles. Quick google, first hit, might be more.
LE
Just had a look through the playlist of his radio show and while I Will appears to be the only Beatles track he played, he also played the following:
I'm Looking Through You - Steve Earle
A Hard Day's Night - Ramsay Lewis
Till There Was You - Ray Charles (Not a Beatles write but their version is best known)
Jealous Guy - Hurrah For The Riff Raff
We Can Work It Out - Jim Cox
It Won't Be Long - Evan Rachel Wood
Eleanor Rigby - Bobbie Gentry
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Growing up in the 50's/60's and being into music, automatically must have led to love the Beatles.
LE
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I have been listening to lot of songs by The Beatles and solo members lately, and it occurred to me to think about Mark's connection to them, so, here are some of the thing I can think of, please feel free to correct anything and add any other connections I have missed.
Sir Paul McCartney.
Prince's Trust concert 1986 Mark playing on all McCartney songs, Paul seemed to really enjoy what Mark was playing, particularly his solo for I Saw Her Standing There.
Music For Montserrat 1997 Mark playing on Golden Slumbers/Carry That Weight/The End, Hey Jude, Kansas City. Mark playing in a fantastic guitar trio with Paul and Eric Clapton.
Paul's song, Once Upon a Long Ago was written for The Princess Bride but not used, and Mark wrote the music. "It was reported in a 2011 biography that the origin of this song is with the film The Princess Bride. McCartney was approached by Director Rob Reiner to compose a couple of songs and the incidental music for the film. Reiner rejected as “too sentimental” the two songs Paul submitted: “Once Upon a Long Ago” and “Beautiful Night” and contracted with Mark Knopfler to complete the soundtrack." The video for this song has Chris Witten on drums.
Mark played guitar on the Ferry Aid charity single of Let It Be, Paul himself sang and played piano on it too. Mark was also on the video for the song.
Paul was contacted about playing on the 2024 charity version of Going Home, but could not do it due to time constraints. I wonder what Guy wanted him to play? Bass guitar electric? both?
I am surprised that they haven't recorded together, they seem to have a lot of similar musical tastes, and Paul is known for being a fan of guitar players.
John Lennon.
Mark recorded Imagine with Chet Atkins, they also played the song live at various times.
Mark dedicated the Dire Straits performance of News to John Lennon, at a live show 11 days after he was murdered.
Mark wrote the song Rudiger around the time John was murdered, which has lyrics about an autograph hunter.
While Mark is'nt mentioned by name, Mark was part of John's attack on Bob Dylan's song Gotta Serve Somebody" as he played on it. John said: “Well, I was listening to the radio,” he begins, “And Dylan’s new single, or whatever the hell it is, came on. He wants to be a waiter for Christ,” Lennon adds, laughing to himself and his dictaphone, thereafter his critique becomes a bit more caustic. “The backing is mediocre […] the singing’s really pathetic, and the words were just embarrassing,” This comment was a typical one from John at his acid best, it was really directed at Dylan, not Mark.
Mark joined Jimmy Nail to play acoustic guitar on John's song Love, this was live the the Simon Mayo show on BBC Radio 1, 10th November 1995
George Harrison.
Apart from both being friends with Eric Clapton, and the Dylan connection, I can't think of a link, however they must have met, because, I remember someone asking if they had on Guy's forum, and he said yes, and that how nice a man George was. Aswell as for Mark, Chet Atkins was George's guitar hero.
Sir Ringo Starr.
Ringo played drums on the Going Home charity single from 2024
Sir George Martin.
Dire Straits recorded their album Brothers in Arms at Air Montserrat which was built and owned by George.
Mark was on the British TV show, The Ghost of Faffner Hall, he played acoustic guitar and was joined by George Martin on piano and Paddy Moloney on the Tin Whistle. They appeared in episode 3 "Sound Becomes Music"
George arranged the strings and conducted the orchestra for the Dire Straits song Ticket to Heaven from the On Every Street album.
There's nothing to add, but I wanted to:) Great reminder :thumbsup
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Mark also incorporated Day Tripper lick into Walk Of Life in live performances, which I even recreated for my lesson video on this song ;D
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Paul McCartney and Mark are both left handed, but, only one plays guitar left handed.
Do you have a video clip of Mark playing the Day Tripper lick into Walk of Life?
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MK played the Day Tripper riff in the live outro of Industrial Disease.
intro, not outro
or both ? :think
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Paul McCartney and Mark are both left handed, but, only one plays guitar left handed.
Do you have a video clip of Mark playing the Day Tripper lick into Walk of Life?
You can hear it on the 2nd CD of the Sultans Of Swing compilation where some bonus live recordings are located. One of my favourite versions of Walk of Life...
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I had a listen to this which I think is the same recording? Couldn't spot Day Tripper but maybe I'm being dopey.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2dqD99Bi0cQ
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I have been listening to lot of songs by The Beatles and solo members lately, and it occurred to me to think about Mark's connection to them, so, here are some of the thing I can think of, please feel free to correct anything and add any other connections I have missed.
Sir Paul McCartney.
Prince's Trust concert 1986 Mark playing on all McCartney songs, Paul seemed to really enjoy what Mark was playing, particularly his solo for I Saw Her Standing There.
Music For Montserrat 1997 Mark playing on Golden Slumbers/Carry That Weight/The End, Hey Jude, Kansas City. Mark playing in a fantastic guitar trio with Paul and Eric Clapton.
Paul's song, Once Upon a Long Ago was written for The Princess Bride but not used, and Mark wrote the music. "It was reported in a 2011 biography that the origin of this song is with the film The Princess Bride. McCartney was approached by Director Rob Reiner to compose a couple of songs and the incidental music for the film. Reiner rejected as “too sentimental” the two songs Paul submitted: “Once Upon a Long Ago” and “Beautiful Night” and contracted with Mark Knopfler to complete the soundtrack." The video for this song has Chris Witten on drums.
Mark played guitar on the Ferry Aid charity single of Let It Be, Paul himself sang and played piano on it too. Mark was also on the video for the song.
Paul was contacted about playing on the 2024 charity version of Going Home, but could not do it due to time constraints. I wonder what Guy wanted him to play? Bass guitar electric? both?
I am surprised that they haven't recorded together, they seem to have a lot of similar musical tastes, and Paul is known for being a fan of guitar players.
John Lennon.
Mark recorded Imagine with Chet Atkins, they also played the song live at various times.
Mark dedicated the Dire Straits performance of News to John Lennon, at a live show 11 days after he was murdered.
Mark wrote the song Rudiger around the time John was murdered, which has lyrics about an autograph hunter.
While Mark is'nt mentioned by name, Mark was part of John's attack on Bob Dylan's song Gotta Serve Somebody" as he played on it. John said: “Well, I was listening to the radio,” he begins, “And Dylan’s new single, or whatever the hell it is, came on. He wants to be a waiter for Christ,” Lennon adds, laughing to himself and his dictaphone, thereafter his critique becomes a bit more caustic. “The backing is mediocre […] the singing’s really pathetic, and the words were just embarrassing,” This comment was a typical one from John at his acid best, it was really directed at Dylan, not Mark.
Mark joined Jimmy Nail to play acoustic guitar on John's song Love, this was live the the Simon Mayo show on BBC Radio 1, 10th November 1995
George Harrison.
Apart from both being friends with Eric Clapton, and the Dylan connection, I can't think of a link, however they must have met, because, I remember someone asking if they had on Guy's forum, and he said yes, and that how nice a man George was. Aswell as for Mark, Chet Atkins was George's guitar hero.
Sir Ringo Starr.
Ringo played drums on the Going Home charity single from 2024
Sir George Martin.
Dire Straits recorded their album Brothers in Arms at Air Montserrat which was built and owned by George.
Mark was on the British TV show, The Ghost of Faffner Hall, he played acoustic guitar and was joined by George Martin on piano and Paddy Moloney on the Tin Whistle. They appeared in episode 3 "Sound Becomes Music"
George arranged the strings and conducted the orchestra for the Dire Straits song Ticket to Heaven from the On Every Street album.
Finally a confirmation Mark and George met!! I had been trying to find a lead on this for ages. I know George Harrison was also at the infamous Adelaide Grand Prix in 1986, but I assume because of Marks incident they never ended up crossing paths. The near misses and connections between the two are endless; it had been driving me mad for ages! :lol
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I had a listen to this which I think is the same recording? Couldn't spot Day Tripper but maybe I'm being dopey.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2dqD99Bi0cQ
I don't hear it neither
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I didn’t realise he rated I Will so much, it’s one of my favourite Beatles songs. It’s too short that’s the only problem.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=JGnNQM_9q-w&pp=ygUGSSB3aWxs
Magic solo performance.
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I didn’t realise he rated I Will so much, it’s one of my favourite Beatles songs. It’s too short that’s the only problem.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=JGnNQM_9q-w&pp=ygUGSSB3aWxs
Magic solo performance.
And your namesake Elliot Easton stole the lick from I Will for My Best Friend’s Girlfriend!
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I didn’t realise he rated I Will so much, it’s one of my favourite Beatles songs. It’s too short that’s the only problem.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=JGnNQM_9q-w&pp=ygUGSSB3aWxs
Magic solo performance.
And your namesake Elliot Easton stole the lick from I Will for My Best Friend’s Girlfriend!
Well I can only apologise
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I had a listen to this which I think is the same recording? Couldn't spot Day Tripper but maybe I'm being dopey.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2dqD99Bi0cQ
At 2:27. A simplified version of the riff.