A Mark In Time

Mark Knopfler Discussion => Mark Knopfler Discussion Forum => Topic started by: Knopflerfan on August 08, 2019, 02:56:21 PM

Title: Mark Knopfler - early days in Kernow
Post by: Knopflerfan on August 08, 2019, 02:56:21 PM
As an ex Cornwall (Kernow) resident, I'm trying to research the gig on Christmas eve in Penzance that Mark mentions as per 'Matchstick Man'
However no such luck yet but I've come across a poster from 'Brewers droop' gig in Truro, Cornwall in August 1971 in which a 22 year old Mark Knopfler and his brother played.
Incidentally also at the festival was Queen!

From the Cornwall Live article:

6. TREGYE FESTIVAL, CARNON DOWNS, 1971

A festival in Carnon Downs? Don't be so ridiculous, but it did happen. Among those on the bill were Arthur Brown, Hawkwind (regulars in Cornwall, with and without Lemmy) and right near the bottom, a returning Queen.

The delightfully named Brewers Droop even featured a young Mark Knopfler of Dire Straits fame.

A point that bugs me is MK saying that Penzance is as far south of the UK you can go, well that's incorrect as Lizard point, Cornwall is at the southernmost point of the UK..
Title: Re: Mark Knopfler - early days in Kernow
Post by: qjamesfloyd on August 08, 2019, 03:11:09 PM
Imagine trying to get away with a poster like that these days!!! I doubt Mark was meant to be geographically accurate, more just to give the impression of distance of his travel.
Title: Re: Mark Knopfler - early days in Kernow
Post by: Knopflerfan on August 08, 2019, 03:16:10 PM
Hahaha, nice all the same though!! Wouldn't get away with it now...
No agreed with regards the geography but it's just a bit annoying!

So 477 Miles from Penzance to Newcastle it is..

For the best route in current traffic visit https://maps.app.goo.gl/mAwmC11afLiCAHVw5
Title: Re: Mark Knopfler - early days in Kernow
Post by: dmg on August 08, 2019, 03:20:30 PM
Nice poster!  Inspiration for Kingdom Come perhaps?  Anyway, nice detective work.
Title: Re: Mark Knopfler - early days in Kernow
Post by: Knopflerfan on August 08, 2019, 04:09:42 PM
Nice poster!  Inspiration for Kingdom Come perhaps?  Anyway, nice detective work.

The research continues.....
Title: Re: Mark Knopfler - early days in Kernow
Post by: Kris-b on August 08, 2019, 05:15:21 PM
Doesn‘t he always talk about Christmas Eve and a lot of snow?
Title: Re: Mark Knopfler - early days in Kernow
Post by: dustyvalentino on August 10, 2019, 01:05:04 PM
Was he in Brewer's Droop that early?
Title: Re: Mark Knopfler - early days in Kernow
Post by: Knopflerfan on August 10, 2019, 08:58:44 PM
Was he in Brewer's Droop that early?

I took it that he played from 1973, but the report from the 1971 gig at Truro suggests he played in August 1971...
Title: Re: Mark Knopfler - early days in Kernow
Post by: Banjo99uk on August 11, 2019, 06:54:37 PM
did a bit if googling and found this
https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.cornwalllive.com/whats-on/music-nightlife/day-cornish-village-barricaded-itself-1917259.amp
Title: Re: Mark Knopfler - early days in Kernow
Post by: Robson on August 13, 2019, 02:44:22 PM
Here 1975

Title: Re: Mark Knopfler - early days in Kernow
Post by: hunter on August 13, 2019, 03:42:38 PM
Here 1975


You should show that photo to David Knopfler on Facebook.
Title: Re: Mark Knopfler - early days in Kernow
Post by: Robson on August 13, 2019, 03:50:44 PM
I should ask him for permission (?)  :think
Title: Re: Mark Knopfler - early days in Kernow
Post by: hunter on August 13, 2019, 05:10:28 PM
I should ask him for permission (?)  :think


No, maybe has some comments about the gig.
Title: Re: Mark Knopfler - early days in Kernow
Post by: Robson on August 13, 2019, 05:31:26 PM
A good idea:)

I once asked him when was the first DS concert. He responded quickly:)
Title: Re: Mark Knopfler - early days in Kernow
Post by: crimmer on August 13, 2019, 09:57:06 PM
Weird seeing maps of Cornwall where I live and work on this site, nice research
Title: Re: Mark Knopfler - early days in Kernow
Post by: jbaent on August 14, 2019, 11:45:57 AM
I should ask him for permission (?)  :think


No, maybe has some comments about the gig.

David already posted and commented that poster in facebook some time ago...
Title: Re: Mark Knopfler - early days in Kernow
Post by: hunter on August 14, 2019, 05:05:06 PM
I should ask him for permission (?)  :think


No, maybe has some comments about the gig.

David already posted and commented that poster in facebook some time ago...


Didn't know that. Did he have something interesting to say about it?
Title: Re: Mark Knopfler - early days in Kernow
Post by: jbaent on August 14, 2019, 06:16:20 PM
I should ask him for permission (?)  :think


No, maybe has some comments about the gig.

David already posted and commented that poster in facebook some time ago...


Didn't know that. Did he have something interesting to say about it?

That they played as an acoustic duo doing versions. He even mentioned the cover songs they must had done but cant remember. Someone in the italian forum collected all the info in one post in their forum.
Title: Re: Mark Knopfler - early days in Kernow
Post by: Robson on August 14, 2019, 10:52:31 PM
I should ask him for permission (?)  :think


No, maybe has some comments about the gig.

David already posted and commented that poster in facebook some time ago...

It is true. I forgot about that.
Title: Re: Mark Knopfler - early days in Kernow
Post by: jbaent on August 16, 2019, 09:48:13 AM
I should ask him for permission (?)  :think


No, maybe has some comments about the gig.

David already posted and commented that poster in facebook some time ago...


Didn't know that. Did he have something interesting to say about it?

http://www.knopfleriani.it/kforum/showthread.php?tid=4588

David Knopfler said in his facebook account:

I think it was probably a four or five song set in the afternoon and from best recollection we did covers - probably
“If I needed you,”
“Tattler”
“Log cabin home in the sky”
“Roll in my sweet baby’s arms”
Title: Re: Mark Knopfler - early days in Kernow
Post by: jbaent on August 16, 2019, 09:52:05 AM
As an ex Cornwall (Kernow) resident, I'm trying to research the gig on Christmas eve in Penzance that Mark mentions as per 'Matchstick Man'
However no such luck yet but I've come across a poster from 'Brewers droop' gig in Truro, Cornwall in August 1971 in which a 22 year old Mark Knopfler and his brother played.
Incidentally also at the festival was Queen!

From the Cornwall Live article:

6. TREGYE FESTIVAL, CARNON DOWNS, 1971

A festival in Carnon Downs? Don't be so ridiculous, but it did happen. Among those on the bill were Arthur Brown, Hawkwind (regulars in Cornwall, with and without Lemmy) and right near the bottom, a returning Queen.

The delightfully named Brewers Droop even featured a young Mark Knopfler of Dire Straits fame.

A point that bugs me is MK saying that Penzance is as far south of the UK you can go, well that's incorrect as Lizard point, Cornwall is at the southernmost point of the UK..

A friend of mine used to dig in old "New Musical Express" and "Sounds" magazines to find posters, announcements etc of the early Straits concerts and there is always a section with the concerts played around the UK, maybe there is any library with files from that era that can be searched...
Title: Re: Mark Knopfler - early days in Kernow
Post by: Knopflerfan on August 18, 2019, 11:13:30 PM
So Guy has now said it was 1973 aged 24 that MK hitch hiked home from Penzance in the early hours on Christmas Day morning...

From Guys diary 17th August 2019

What’s the worst band you’ve ever played in?” Mark asked everyone after regaling more details of the ‘shit band’ he was in at the time he hitchhiked home on Christmas morning in 1973 (Matchstick Man)
Title: Re: Mark Knopfler - early days in Kernow
Post by: jbaent on October 19, 2020, 11:48:24 AM
I just found something from Penzance december 1973 but it doesn´t mention Brewers Droop but a Liverpool band called STRIFE

Maybe MK played with that band and we don´t know?

http://kernowbeat.co.uk/wintergardens.html

(https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5508/31479252105_46da2df7b9_z.jpg)
Title: Re: Mark Knopfler - early days in Kernow
Post by: dmg on October 19, 2020, 12:08:04 PM
Kingdom Come mentioned coincidently. 

Says the band is from Liverpool.  Can't recall Mark being associated from there at any point.  In '73 wasn't he in Leeds?  Not a million miles away but too far to travel for band practice etc. at 75 miles.
Title: Re: Mark Knopfler - early days in Kernow
Post by: jbaent on October 19, 2020, 12:40:45 PM
Looking at that program, it mentions 1973 but I'm not sure if it's from december 1973 or 1972, as the 1973 mentions could refer to, after 00.00, it's 1973!
Title: Re: Mark Knopfler - early days in Kernow
Post by: dmg on October 19, 2020, 12:51:31 PM
Looking at that program, it mentions 1973 but I'm not sure if it's from december 1973 or 1972, as the 1973 mentions could refer to, after 00.00, it's 1973!

LOL.  Of course.  So the show we are concerned with would be in '72.  :smack
Title: Re: Mark Knopfler - early days in Kernow
Post by: Knopflerfan on October 19, 2020, 11:36:50 PM
Looking at that program, it mentions 1973 but I'm not sure if it's from december 1973 or 1972, as the 1973 mentions could refer to, after 00.00, it's 1973!

LOL.  Of course.  So the show we are concerned with would be in '72.  :smack

1972 it is!! :wave