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.
