David Knopfler, born December 27, 1952 in Glasgow, Scotland, is a British musician known for his role as co-founder of the rock band Dire Straits with his brother Mark Knopfler. Before forming the band, David worked as a school teacher and session musician in London. However, in 1977, he decided to join his brother Mark to found Dire Straits, where he contributed as a rhythm guitarist and backing vocalist.
Although he left the band in 1980, during the recording of their third album, and embarked on a solo career, David left an indelible mark on the group’s history with his guitar style and his contribution to their self-titled first album, which included hits such as ” Sultans of Swing”. In addition to his work with Dire Straits, David has released several solo albums and has continued to explore his passion for music throughout his career.
The Fender Stratocaster that you can see at Guitar Legends Hall was purchased by David in 1977, the same year he founded Dire Straits with his brother Mark Knopfler. We can hear the sound of its strings in such iconic songs as “Sultans of Swing”, “Down to the Waterline” or “Once Upon a Time in the West”.
