Dire Straits headlined this Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute concert at the old Wembley stadium, but it was a much larger event with many performers including the likes of Sting, George Michael, The Eurythmics, Joe Cocker, The Bee Gees, Peter Gabriel, Simple Minds and Tracy Chapman. It shows you just how big Dire Straits were at this time. The concert was broadcast in dozens of countries around the world and seen by more than 600m people, helping to put pressure on the South African government to release Mandela which they finally did two years later after keeping him imprisoned for 27 years. Prior to performing Brothers in Arms Mark Knopfler expressed his pride at Dire Straits being banned from South Africa back in 1979, just one year after the release of their debut album, due to their opposition to apartheid and then said 4 profound words that still ring true today: "One humanity. One justice." This is probably the most emotional performance of this sublime song.
I can't believe he sold that one. It's one of his most iconic which he played extensively throughout the late '80s and through the '90s. I love the sound and am saddened that we'll never him play it again.
@@jjc5407 Indeed. He auctioned off the money for nothing les paul, walk of life schecter, a few pensas and those 2 beautiful ovation 6 and 12-strings (man's too strong, blind willie mctell). Really sad to see such icons go
Knopfler has, or had around 250 guitars and sold 120 of them at auction recently, for over £8m or $10m USD. All the proceeds went to charity. Why sell such iconic guitars? He only sold about half his collection and at almost 75 years of age, his hands are swollen and he has the shakes, probably arthritis or early onset of Parkinsons. Though he has has a new album release in April 2024 (One deep river) there's not likely to be many more. Sadly, age catches up with us all.
@@ozymandias7940 25% went to charity. I wasn't aware he had the shakes. I'm looking forward to the new album and the new version of Going Home by Mark Knopfler's Guitar Heroes in 12 days time.
There are great song writers, guitarists, story tellers, and singers in the world. But Mark is one of the few that is all of them together in one fantastic package. Check out “Telegraph Road” live and of course “Sultans of Swing” both live on "Alchemy Live" , “Tunnel of Love” live at Wembley Arena 1985 “Private Investigations” live on Alchemy. “Speedway at Nazareth” live Mark Knopfler and Emmylou Harris version. . His solo career - 10 albums is fantastic as well.
Saw them live in 1991 in Dublin Ireland. One of the best musical experiences of my life and as a guitar player myself Mark Knopfler is one of my biggest influences
That was a lesson in how to give a masterclass in playing a guitar. Pensa sold for roughly £500k gap and 25% went to charity of the 8m his sale of guitars went for. ive never heard anyone else in my life play a guitar with so much emotion other than gilmour
Dave Gilmour recorded at Mark Knopfler's British Grove Studios last year. There's a lovely picture of the two of them together. I believe it was for a cancer charity project. I'm so hoping they recorded something together! The only time I've ever seen them playing together is in a French & Saunders sketch with several other guitarists including the wonderful Gary Moore. What I wouldn't have given to see all three in a concert...
@jjc5407 Yeah what a sound that would be I was in a club in Peterborough when they played Mandela concert even the band stopped for an hour to watch dire straits set!
Yeah. People who don't know the story of what the song is saying won't get it until they do. When I was younger I didn't really appreciate it either. Being in New Zealand and so dis-associated with the Falklands war - but now forty years older and although never been involved in war, this track especially brings up emotions and tears well up my eyes. Marks guitar playing always has an amazing understated feeling without ramming it down your throat with loudness, and still has the listener wanting more.
Hey guys I really recommend Sultans Of Swing Live Dire Straits Sydney Final Concert 1986, or Calling Elvis Live Dire Straits " On The Night" 1993. Just a couple of my favorite performances of many. Also they are so much better watching live. Thanks, love your channel...just discovered it. Cheers all the best from Australia. 👍🎸🎸
There are tons of great live performances by Dire Straits and Mark Knopfler. Anything from Dire Straits' 3 live albums Alchemy Live, On The Night and Live At The BBC is worth checking out as are their performances at this concert in honour of Nelson Mandela's 70th Birthday which they headlined, Rockpalast, Wembley '85 and Knebworth '90 to name a few. From Mark's post Dire Straits career there's A Night In London amongst other as well as Real Live Roadrunning with Emmylou Harris and a Chet Atkins & Friends TV special. Mark recorded albums with both Emmylou (All The Roadrunning) and Chet (Neck & Neck). There's also a wonderful version of Feels Like Going Home sung by Tom Jones on another TV special with Mark on guitar. Mark recorded the song with The Notting Hillbillies, a band he formed following the Brothers In Arms tour because it had all got 'too big' and he wanted to enjoy playing in more intimate settings again. The all-star Music For Montserrat concert at the Royal Albert Hall also features Mark and is a fabulous show. All those should keep you going for a bit!
No one notice rhythm guitar... Eric Clapton? Yes, I did see them back in the day (opening act: Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble) great performance. The crowd's fave that night was "Private Investigations" (which you have to see live). Peace, love and bellbottoms from Canada.
We did notice him, but he didn't seem to be doing very much so I didn't bother mentioning him! Probably should have anyway. Oh well, next time! Thanks 🍁I'm jealous you saw Stevie Ray.
@@glennandadriansrocktalk the band's rhythm guitarist at the time was Jack Sonni but he couldn't make it over from the US because his wife had just given birth to twins so Eric agreed to stand in. A few months later Mark Knopfler joined Eric on the latter's 25th Anniversary Tour along with Dire Straits' keyboard player Alan Clark. (Hearing Mark play the iconic Layla riff is interesting; it's so much softer when finger picked.) They teamed up again at Knebworth '90 when Dire Straits took to the stage immediately after Eric's band had performed. I thoroughly recommend checking out I Think I Love You Too Much. It doesn't get much better than Mark and Eric trading solos whilst playing the blues. They also performed together at the Music For Montserrat concert at the Royal Albert Hall in 1997, which is a fantastic show featuring many musical legends (Paul McCartney, Elton John, Sting, Phil Collins and Carl Perkins in his very last performance amongst others). Most had recorded at George Martin's studio on the island and the concert raised several million in aid after it suffered a devastating volcanic eruption. It's where the Brothers in Arms album was recorded. It's well worth checking out. The performance of Money For Nothing with Eric, Phil Collins on drums and Sting is joyous. The latter of course sang on the record (and got a songwriting credit because Mark used his tune from Don't Stand So Close To Me for the I Want My MTV lyrics).
If want hear the best of DS, react to Sultans Of Swing Alchemy Live. 1983 in London. MK is phenomenal and the drummer Terry Williams is just unbelievable. Try it, you won't be disappointed
Did you pick up the fact a certain Mr Eric Clapton playing rhythm guitar?? Who gets Eric Clapton to play rhythm guitar for them?? Only Mark Knopfler could do that.
Possibly the greatest live performance in rock history. Remarkably how much better Dire Straits sounded with Clapton adding some balls to the rhythm section.
Love the sound of EC's guitar and it is brilliant to see them play together, but I strongly disagree with you! Alchemy is easily one of the best live recordings ever and no, Dire Straits did not sound "much better" during this concert (despite a genuinly great contribution by Clapton). Also, this particular song would have sounded just as brilliant with another rhythm section.
@@BasMeijer try listening to it again, then. I can think of exactly NOBODY this side of Hendrix or possibly SRV that could have added similar backbone and taken away some of the ever present Schmalz of the DS records. And neither Hendrix nor SRV were as cool as Clapton - but could obviously have brought other qualities to the table - just listen to that glass clear tough single note playing by Clapton. NOBODY can touch that. Compared to this Alchemy is bland. Too round, too bodega-like, not enough accentuation or dynamics, good as it is.
@@NisseOhlsen Nicely condescending start with "try listening to it again, then" 😁 Seems you are saying that the contribution of Clapton on this song takes it from being (your words) "Schmalz with not enough accentuation or dynamics" to (again your words) "possibly the greatest live performance in rock history"?
@@BasMeijer sorry if you feel I'm condescending. Put a friendly suggestion to listen to the recording in any language not offensive to you, please. If I could in a message here list all the things that made the recording better with Clapton, there'd be no need for music, would there?
@@glennandadriansrocktalk I actually purchased the whole live aid dvd box set 6 dvds Wembley and JFK, both concerts were on the same day live aid 1985 for £350!! And I bought the Mandela concert dvds. History!! London uk
-We can see a classic scene with this song ('Brothers In Arms'), on the TV show "Miami Vice" in the 1980's, (in last scene of the episode: 'Out Where the Buses Don't Run'): 2:15
There are half-a-dozen Dire Straits songs I love and the rest bore me to tears. They were the acceptable face of rock for people who didn't listen to rock, the pastel suits and white socks brigade. This song was particularly resonant in the UK at the time because it was written with reference to the recent Falklands conflict, images of war and loss were fresh in the minds of many. This was a multi-artist concert staged in support of Nelson Mandela, who at this time was still a prisoner. Eric Clapton was playing backing guitar, for any one who missed him.
Thanks for the extra info. They may have been positioned that way, but they came up the honest way - through the pubs - and they were older. The business had intentions that likely weren't connected to the music.
@@glennandadriansrocktalk They got their big break with a session for a local London radio show, and in a way, like The Stranglers, Dr Feelgood, Ian Dury and Graham Parker, they were a pub rock who benefitted from Punk opening up the music business to a wider range of acts. A coincidence of timing, good management and clever song writing elevated them to a level I don't think Mark Knopfler was entirely comfortable with.
This performance should be the 8th wonder of the world 🥺
Dire Straits headlined this Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute concert at the old Wembley stadium, but it was a much larger event with many performers including the likes of Sting, George Michael, The Eurythmics, Joe Cocker, The Bee Gees, Peter Gabriel, Simple Minds and Tracy Chapman. It shows you just how big Dire Straits were at this time. The concert was broadcast in dozens of countries around the world and seen by more than 600m people, helping to put pressure on the South African government to release Mandela which they finally did two years later after keeping him imprisoned for 27 years.
Prior to performing Brothers in Arms Mark Knopfler expressed his pride at Dire Straits being banned from South Africa back in 1979, just one year after the release of their debut album, due to their opposition to apartheid and then said 4 profound words that still ring true today: "One humanity. One justice." This is probably the most emotional performance of this sublime song.
Appreciate all the info in your posts! Thanks!
That iconic Pensa guitar sold for half a million dollars a few days ago, and no wonder
I can't believe he sold that one. It's one of his most iconic which he played extensively throughout the late '80s and through the '90s. I love the sound and am saddened that we'll never him play it again.
@@jjc5407 Indeed. He auctioned off the money for nothing les paul, walk of life schecter, a few pensas and those 2 beautiful ovation 6 and 12-strings (man's too strong, blind willie mctell). Really sad to see such icons go
Knopfler has, or had around 250 guitars and sold 120 of them at auction recently, for over £8m or $10m USD. All the proceeds went to charity.
Why sell such iconic guitars? He only sold about half his collection and at almost 75 years of age, his hands are swollen and he has the shakes, probably arthritis or early onset of Parkinsons. Though he has has a new album release in April 2024 (One deep river) there's not likely to be many more.
Sadly, age catches up with us all.
@@ozymandias7940 25% went to charity. I wasn't aware he had the shakes. I'm looking forward to the new album and the new version of Going Home by Mark Knopfler's Guitar Heroes in 12 days time.
There are great song writers, guitarists, story tellers, and singers in the world. But Mark is one of the few that is all of them together in one fantastic package. Check out “Telegraph Road” live and of course “Sultans of Swing” both live on "Alchemy Live" , “Tunnel of Love” live at Wembley Arena 1985 “Private Investigations” live on Alchemy. “Speedway at Nazareth” live Mark Knopfler and Emmylou Harris version. .
His solo career - 10 albums is fantastic as well.
He has a new album due out in April. I'm looking forward to it!
Saw them live in 1991 in Dublin Ireland. One of the best musical experiences of my life and as a guitar player myself Mark Knopfler is one of my biggest influences
David Gilmour reminds me of Mark knopfler - That's how good Knopfler is!
❤
Well put! Smart response!
They are actually v.good friends. David Gilmour has recentĺy been recotding at Marks studio.
That was a lesson in how to give a masterclass in playing a guitar. Pensa sold for roughly £500k gap and 25% went to charity of the 8m his sale of guitars went for. ive never heard anyone else in my life play a guitar with so much emotion other than gilmour
Dave Gilmour recorded at Mark Knopfler's British Grove Studios last year. There's a lovely picture of the two of them together. I believe it was for a cancer charity project. I'm so hoping they recorded something together! The only time I've ever seen them playing together is in a French & Saunders sketch with several other guitarists including the wonderful Gary Moore. What I wouldn't have given to see all three in a concert...
@jjc5407
Yeah what a sound that would be
I was in a club in Peterborough when they played Mandela concert even the band stopped for an hour to watch dire straits set!
The guy on the left, Adrian, "Yeah, that was OK, I guess." Seriously? Did he fall asleep during that clip or something?
Sheesh....
Must be hard of hearing or a numpty
Yeah. People who don't know the story of what the song is saying won't get it until they do. When I was younger I didn't really appreciate it either. Being in New Zealand and so dis-associated with the Falklands war - but now forty years older and although never been involved in war, this track especially brings up emotions and tears well up my eyes. Marks guitar playing always has an amazing understated feeling without ramming it down your throat with loudness, and still has the listener wanting more.
Hey guys I really recommend Sultans Of Swing Live Dire Straits Sydney Final Concert 1986, or Calling Elvis Live Dire Straits " On The Night" 1993. Just a couple of my favorite performances of many. Also they are so much better watching live. Thanks, love your channel...just discovered it. Cheers all the best from Australia. 👍🎸🎸
The audience swaying mimics the waves in the video...while his guitar cries.
There are tons of great live performances by Dire Straits and Mark Knopfler.
Anything from Dire Straits' 3 live albums Alchemy Live, On The Night and Live At The BBC is worth checking out as are their performances at this concert in honour of Nelson Mandela's 70th Birthday which they headlined, Rockpalast, Wembley '85 and Knebworth '90 to name a few.
From Mark's post Dire Straits career there's A Night In London amongst other as well as Real Live Roadrunning with Emmylou Harris and a Chet Atkins & Friends TV special. Mark recorded albums with both Emmylou (All The Roadrunning) and Chet (Neck & Neck). There's also a wonderful version of Feels Like Going Home sung by Tom Jones on another TV special with Mark on guitar. Mark recorded the song with The Notting Hillbillies, a band he formed following the Brothers In Arms tour because it had all got 'too big' and he wanted to enjoy playing in more intimate settings again. The all-star Music For Montserrat concert at the Royal Albert Hall also features Mark and is a fabulous show.
All those should keep you going for a bit!
No one notice rhythm guitar... Eric Clapton? Yes, I did see them back in the day (opening act: Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble) great performance. The crowd's fave that night was "Private Investigations" (which you have to see live). Peace, love and bellbottoms from Canada.
We did notice him, but he didn't seem to be doing very much so I didn't bother mentioning him! Probably should have anyway. Oh well, next time! Thanks 🍁I'm jealous you saw Stevie Ray.
@@glennandadriansrocktalk the band's rhythm guitarist at the time was Jack Sonni but he couldn't make it over from the US because his wife had just given birth to twins so Eric agreed to stand in. A few months later Mark Knopfler joined Eric on the latter's 25th Anniversary Tour along with Dire Straits' keyboard player Alan Clark. (Hearing Mark play the iconic Layla riff is interesting; it's so much softer when finger picked.)
They teamed up again at Knebworth '90 when Dire Straits took to the stage immediately after Eric's band had performed. I thoroughly recommend checking out I Think I Love You Too Much. It doesn't get much better than Mark and Eric trading solos whilst playing the blues.
They also performed together at the Music For Montserrat concert at the Royal Albert Hall in 1997, which is a fantastic show featuring many musical legends (Paul McCartney, Elton John, Sting, Phil Collins and Carl Perkins in his very last performance amongst others). Most had recorded at George Martin's studio on the island and the concert raised several million in aid after it suffered a devastating volcanic eruption. It's where the Brothers in Arms album was recorded. It's well worth checking out. The performance of Money For Nothing with Eric, Phil Collins on drums and Sting is joyous. The latter of course sang on the record (and got a songwriting credit because Mark used his tune from Don't Stand So Close To Me for the I Want My MTV lyrics).
Goosebumps!
Every time
There is a video of them doing this song and is playing a Les Paul.. Such a smooth mellow sound on that one! awesome song.. great job!
Check out sultans of swing and telegraph road alchemy live
Video is great too.
If want hear the best of DS, react to Sultans Of Swing Alchemy Live. 1983 in London. MK is phenomenal and the drummer Terry Williams is just unbelievable. Try it, you won't be disappointed
He is also left handed, taught himself to play right handed.
once uppon a time in the west alchemy is the best
Did you pick up the fact a certain Mr Eric Clapton playing rhythm guitar?? Who gets Eric Clapton to play rhythm guitar for them?? Only Mark Knopfler could do that.
Yep, while we were watching! Just couldn't figure out a good reason to bring up his presence since it was rhythm guitar...
Possibly the greatest live performance in rock history. Remarkably how much better Dire Straits sounded with Clapton adding some balls to the rhythm section.
Love the sound of EC's guitar and it is brilliant to see them play together, but I strongly disagree with you! Alchemy is easily one of the best live recordings ever and no, Dire Straits did not sound "much better" during this concert (despite a genuinly great contribution by Clapton). Also, this particular song would have sounded just as brilliant with another rhythm section.
@@BasMeijer try listening to it again, then. I can think of exactly NOBODY this side of Hendrix or possibly SRV that could have added similar backbone and taken away some of the ever present Schmalz of the DS records. And neither Hendrix nor SRV were as cool as Clapton - but could obviously have brought other qualities to the table - just listen to that glass clear tough single note playing by Clapton. NOBODY can touch that. Compared to this Alchemy is bland. Too round, too bodega-like, not enough accentuation or dynamics, good as it is.
@@NisseOhlsen
Nicely condescending start with "try listening to it again, then" 😁
Seems you are saying that the contribution of Clapton on this song takes it from being (your words) "Schmalz with not enough accentuation or dynamics" to (again your words) "possibly the greatest live performance in rock history"?
@@BasMeijer sorry if you feel I'm condescending. Put a friendly suggestion to listen to the recording in any language not offensive to you, please. If I could in a message here list all the things that made the recording better with Clapton, there'd be no need for music, would there?
Dire Straits and Mark is the best!!! pink floyd comfortably numb pulse. fleetwood mac, i always watch the unforgettable live aid 1985 concert
We do have a reaction to the PULSE version of Comfortably Numb - check our vids!
@@glennandadriansrocktalk I actually purchased the whole live aid dvd box set 6 dvds Wembley and JFK, both concerts were on the same day live aid 1985 for £350!! And I bought the Mandela concert dvds. History!!
London uk
You both play guitar, but neither of you noticed eric Claton paling in the band!!
We did. He just wasn't doing much!
-We can see a classic scene with this song ('Brothers In Arms'), on the TV show "Miami Vice" in the 1980's, (in last scene of the episode: 'Out Where the Buses Don't Run'): 2:15
Clapton on 2nd guitar.
He must've been living in a jungle cos hvnt seen or heard Dire Straits.
Regarder le live de 1993 encore meilleur 😊😊
I'll check it out, thanks!
There are half-a-dozen Dire Straits songs I love and the rest bore me to tears. They were the acceptable face of rock for people who didn't listen to rock, the pastel suits and white socks brigade. This song was particularly resonant in the UK at the time because it was written with reference to the recent Falklands conflict, images of war and loss were fresh in the minds of many. This was a multi-artist concert staged in support of Nelson Mandela, who at this time was still a prisoner. Eric Clapton was playing backing guitar, for any one who missed him.
Thanks for the extra info. They may have been positioned that way, but they came up the honest way - through the pubs - and they were older. The business had intentions that likely weren't connected to the music.
@@glennandadriansrocktalk They got their big break with a session for a local London radio show, and in a way, like The Stranglers, Dr Feelgood, Ian Dury and Graham Parker, they were a pub rock who benefitted from Punk opening up the music business to a wider range of acts. A coincidence of timing, good management and clever song writing elevated them to a level I don't think Mark Knopfler was entirely comfortable with.