Meeting with Mark Knopfler

[PWE]

Just wondering if anyone has ever met Mark and got to talk guitars with him ? I would be interested to hear your stories

[jbaent]

Nowadays is quite difficult as he goes in and out of the venues inside a car, but he usually stops to sign and take pictures (always being inside the car) and you can talk with him for a few seconds.

[quizzaciously]

Just wondering if anyone has ever met Mark and got to talk guitars with him ? I would be interested to hear your stories

Never met him and, to be die honest, I don't want to [anymore] and I don't have his signatures as well. When I was younger and only started to listening to him in my teens, I wanted to hang out with MK, but now I would do anything just not to bother him with my person. Because... why?

[jbaent]

I was lucky to meet him in 2000 during the STP promo, he signed my copy of the cd and I had a picture with him. He was very very nice.

I had more chances in the following years, but I never tried to bother him, specially because I rather let other fans to have their chance. He seems happy to sign and take pictures when it´s possible.

The most curious chance was last year during the Chalke Valley History Festival. I was sitting with my friends having a drink and he arrived with his wife and daughter and sat in the table JUST NEXT to us... I didn´t dare to bother him as he was with his family, but one of my friends went to buy something to eat, and MK did the same so they crossed their ways. My friend shook hands with MK and I took a very brief picture of the moment from the distance, that lasted 3 seconds. Mk was very happy to say hello and then notice that this fan was sitting next to him, and didn´t bother him at all after that very very brief meeting. I think he values how much his fans respect his privacy.

Why have a picture with him? When someone is your idol, is something nice, but always being aware that you must not bother him, as he's a human being like you (almost, lol)

[Elin N]

How cool Jbaent, yes Chalke Valley was kind of special! I am so glad I was there. I remember that moment when we had lined up outside the tent, and he was walking past us. Imagine him doing that before a normal concert  I was sure somebody would say something. It was like he said to us "now folks, I trust in you to let me do this". And there was not a word! People respect him, it was really nice to see him walking around with his family.

[superval99]

Nice story, Jbaent.   

[dmg]

Met him a couple of times.  First time was in Glasgow 2001 after the concert.  I waited with a group of fans for a couple of hours and eventually roadies and then band members started to spill out the door.  First, a roadie handed me a set list, shortly he was followed by Glen Wolf so I immediately handed it to him and he signed it.  Last to come out was Mark and he walked into his car where he signed all our whatevers.  It was a really nice night because I met Mr and Mrs twm who were both waiting patiently too!

The following year at the Knopfler and Friends concert in London I stood and watched him sign and meet fans in a car again outside the venue.  This time, rather like Jbaent I didn't bother and left other fans to meet him as there was rather a crowd.  How many signatures do you need?

In 2015 I won a competition with the SSE Hydro to meet Mark there, in Glasgow before the show for a meet and greet.  It was a pretty low-key affair compared to others I have heard of but other band members played for us and it was an experience.  I also got my photo taken with him.

[holaknopfler]

Lovely stories. Please keep them coming! Love to read all these wonderful experiences.

[Pottel]

How cool Jbaent, yes Chalke Valley was kind of special! I am so glad I was there. I remember that moment when we had lined up outside the tent, and he was walking past us. Imagine him doing that before a normal concert  I was sure somebody would say something. It was like he said to us "now folks, I trust in you to let me do this". And there was not a word! People respect him, it was really nice to see him walking around with his family.

Still remember exactly that happening when we were queing in front of Ronnie Scott's to see the hilbillies in 99 and he walked by with his helmet on and hardly anyone realised. Still, we had enough opportunity to meet him after those concerts.

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[Knopflerfan]

Yes, indeed I met him for the very first time whilst attending a 'charity' gig in a small town near me called Bridport, in Dorset in September 2013.
I had taken my Fender 'Mark Knopfler' Signature Stratocaster labels with me 'just in case' and the dream was realised after the show.
Mark went to his car and agreed to sign and briefly chat with the few of us that had stayed behind.
Mark was very chatty and asked me about my MK Stratocaster's before shaking my hand and wishing me 'all the best' - to say I was a wreck afterwards would be an understatement!!!!!!!

I saw Mark and Family at Chalke Valley like jbaent but I chose to just let things be and NOT intrude on him with his family. We did however have a great chat with Guy though.....

[holaknopfler]

Yes, indeed I met him for the very first time whilst attending a 'charity' gig in a small town near me called Bridport, in Dorset in September 2013.
I had taken my Fender 'Mark Knopfler' Signature Stratocaster labels with me 'just in case' and the dream was realised after the show.
Mark went to his car and agreed to sign and briefly chat with the few of us that had stayed behind.
Mark was very chatty and asked me about my MK Stratocaster's before shaking my hand and wishing me 'all the best' - to say I was a wreck afterwards would be an understatement!!!!!!!

I saw Mark and Family at Chalke Valley like jbaent but I chose to just let things be and NOT intrude on him with his family. We did however have a great chat with Guy though.....

Great! He seems to be much more comfortable around 'real' fans at a small occasion. And if you pick the right moment... I can imagine he doesn't like to be bothered when he is with his family. Although if you make it quick, shake his hand and say thank you he probably would like it. He's just not the guy for 'the big thing'. Like stadiums e.g. You can see it when he's at small gigs. Just my two cents

[knopflertom]

I was so stupid respectively paralysed that i didnt ask for a pic or autograph


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[knopflertom]

Meeting Mark

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[Shai]

Back in 2003, I think (before his motorcycle accident) MK was on The David Letterman Show; I was working about 20 minutes away by foot, so I bolted from the office before the boss noticed, and went to the side entrance/exit door of the Ed Sullivan Theater. There were about thirty people standing there on the sidewalk, with a red velvet rope blocking off the path from the building to the waiting limo. I instinctively, using my New York smarts, went extremely to the right side, where I zig zagged until I reached the rope. A minute later, Mark came out. The crowd went nuts as Mark began to sign people's stuff. I was holding out my 1983 cover of Guitar Magazine, with Mark on the cover. No luck. Then, Paul Crockford noticed me; I had met him in Boston during the 2001 STP tour, so he smiled at me, and the next thing I know, he was pulling Mark towards me! I had him sign my cover, and knowing I had like three seconds to say something, blurted out, "my four year old son wants to know who put old pigweed in the mulligan stew". He smiled at me and let out this real genuine heart laugh that made my day!

The next night, he was on Conan O'Brian's show, so I got to NBC Studios around 8 am, received a "standby ticket", cut out of work early again, as they start taping at 5pm, and actually got a seat. When Mark came out to the stage during a tv break, I cheered real loud. Mark looked up in my general direction, as for some reason, I was the only real fan there - not a "tourist" ( see last BIA concert in Australia) and waved! He played Devil Baby - amazing! Only time I heard it played live in person.

I have also been in the front row a few times, the best in 2005. Center stage! When Mark took a minute between songs to get set for the next song, he was fiddling around with his guitar, so I said "Mark!". No response. So I said in a louder voice "Markie!!", and he looked up at me. I gave him a thumbs up and he bowed down with his guitar in acknowledgement! Amazing. Then during their "tea break", Mark was sitting in that red chair ( he had hurt his back, so he was playing seated), held up his cup, looked straight at me, and said "cheers" while tipping his cup towards me.

  I will always remember those moments!

     Saul

[quizzaciously]

Back in 2003, I think (before his motorcycle accident) MK was on The David Letterman Show; I was working about 20 minutes away by foot, so I bolted from the office before the boss noticed, and went to the side entrance/exit door of the Ed Sullivan Theater. There were about thirty people standing there on the sidewalk, with a red velvet rope blocking off the path from the building to the waiting limo. I instinctively, using my New York smarts, went extremely to the right side, where I zig zagged until I reached the rope. A minute later, Mark came out. The crowd went nuts as Mark began to sign people's stuff. I was holding out my 1983 cover of Guitar Magazine, with Mark on the cover. No luck. Then, Paul Crockford noticed me; I had met him in Boston during the 2001 STP tour, so he smiled at me, and the next thing I know, he was pulling Mark towards me! I had him sign my cover, and knowing I had like three seconds to say something, blurted out, "my four year old son wants to know who put old pigweed in the mulligan stew". He smiled at me and let out this real genuine heart laugh that made my day!

The next night, he was on Conan O'Brian's show, so I got to NBC Studios around 8 am, received a "standby ticket", cut out of work early again, as they start taping at 5pm, and actually got a seat. When Mark came out to the stage during a tv break, I cheered real loud. Mark looked up in my general direction, as for some reason, I was the only real fan there - not a "tourist" ( see last BIA concert in Australia) and waved! He played Devil Baby - amazing! Only time I heard it played live in person.

I have also been in the front row a few times, the best in 2005. Center stage! When Mark took a minute between songs to get set for the next song, he was fiddling around with his guitar, so I said "Mark!". No response. So I said in a louder voice "Markie!!", and he looked up at me. I gave him a thumbs up and he bowed down with his guitar in acknowledgement! Amazing. Then during their "tea break", Mark was sitting in that red chair ( he had hurt his back, so he was playing seated), held up his cup, looked straight at me, and said "cheers" while tipping his cup towards me.

  I will always remember those moments!

     Saul

One of the best stories out there, thanks!