I like how John Beaudin just gives so much time to David Knopfler to speak and let him elaborate what he wants to say. I mean, so many interviewers keep you tight and don't really listen to you but rather do control you. John Beaudin ask an open question and then - listens. I like that way.
There was friction between David and Mark. I’ve read in many articles that Mark didn’t treat David very well while he was in the band. Mark would say David wasn’t good enough. That’s the one things that always bothered me about Mark. David seems so down to earth and not full of himself. I’m glad he’s doing well.
David was no worse than anybody that followed him, but bands are like that and personalities clash. Maybe it’s impossible to have a coherent long-term project if some sort of individualism doesn’t prevail. Most bands’ histories suggest so. Sad but true. Only natural followers who have no problem with the leader’s leadership make it to the end of the band, when the leader is just too bored and finally sends everybody home.
@@jmc250373 The SAD story of the Straits brothers' sibling rivalry, is by far NOT a unique phenomenon, no, no!! Just think about the Wilson guys of the Beach boys and the Gallaghers of the Oasis!! What really seems to hurt, seen through the eyes of a fan of them, is that you kind of feel yourself forced to take some kind of a part to ONE of them, and not only take them both, as the VERY good musicians they both have been and, as of present, still are!! Throughout the years, David seems to act as a more complete artist than Mark, amongst many things given that David seems to be more and more participating in more or less ALL kinds of social and human issues! MILLIONS of Straits fans out there are SOO waiting for the REAL moment, when the two Knopfler guys one day will bury their weapons and enter a studio or a stage, in a VERY, VERY reunification, at least for ONE entire day! Regards, Jake Hansen, Western Scandinavia...
Well, Mark was ambitious. Add to possible rivalries that he may have wanted to get “the best of the best” onboard and there you have it. DS had some great rhythm guitarists after all.
Guys, I have always followed Dire Straits, I love their music from the first album to the last, just as I continue to follow Mark, David, Dire Straits Legacy, Expierience and everything related to them and over time I have formed my own idea about Dire Straits. Knopfler brothers. Mark was the undisputed great talent and I love his style and everything he produced and I will always thank him for that. behind the undisputed talent there is a man, with his character which does not necessarily have to be perfect, with his insecurities, who was young, had pressure, and who perhaps at the time was not even very serene, so it could be that at certain times it wasn't easy to work with him... and this perhaps especially concerns his brother David because I don't think working together as a family has ever been easy... Let alone for public figures. David took another path and it was absolutely his right to do so. But I think the problem with their relationship wasn't so much the fact that David left, but something that happened later regarding royalties, a dispute between Straits' former manager and David...according to which the latter he claimed that his royalty money was essentially being withheld unfairly and according to David, Mark basically didn't take his defense. I don't know if this is true, but whatever happened now, years have passed, both are of an age and have children who perhaps don't know each other and I hope with all my heart that even if I never have to see them play together again (which instead, I would really like a reunion of the two brothers) I hope one day they can put aside all the misunderstandings and can hug each other again... and I hope so especially for them at this point in their lives.
David's story of how he played Mark's Strat copy behind his back, so bittersweet. One brother destined to live in the shadow of the other. But he broke out of that and created a musical career for himself. Shame that they are still estranged.
When I first heard Dire Straits I just loved their sound! All extremely talented boys and so well recorded! I loved the music but I was drawn to Mark Knopfler as a masterful, soulful guitarist singer-songwriter! ... it's a great bonus that he is a baritone and so am I.
It’s very very hard having a older brother who is a genius and is obviously going to be the centre of global attention , it’s ok if your just a band member actually it’s great he makes you a success too, but when it’s your older brother it hurts like hell.
I think you’ve hit the nail on the head here. Competent musician like John Illsley recognised MKs talent and opportunity and was happy to ride his coat tails and I’m sure he has been rewarded very well for his loyalty and long service. David is a lovely guy but he’s not a patch on Marks talent, but that’s very hard to see when he’s your brother. I reckon David thought he could replicate Marks success, he “just needed to step out of Marks shadow”. But sadly he just doesn’t have the talent. The world is full of good musicians, but there’s a huge gulf between good and genius. I’m sure Mark probably felt he’d given David the opportunity of a lifetime and felt betrayed when he turned it down and/or wasn’t prepared to put the effort it. Musical geniuses are like entrepreneurs akin to Mr Musk, they demand a lot and want their pound of flesh. If you’re not prepared to knuckle down, goodbye. Having said all that it doesn’t explain why the brothers are still estranged. There must be more to this story.
David seems such a nice, lovable, humble guy. Love all of his insightful answers on the interview, specially concerning his crafting of songs and storytelling; very diplomatic concerning certain topics from the past too.
David about Mark: ‘I spent a lot of time doing therapy and dealing with my issues and ghosts and demons,’ ‘Maybe Mark has, too. I don’t know what he does. Of course, it casts a huge shadow on both our lives and on our families. We’ve got cousins who don’t know each other.’ ‘By that time he was “king”,’ David says. ‘But he was the bloke I’d shared a bedroom with. How could I be deferential to him? Mark and I had a different vision of what we were up to. I was building a democracy, and Mark was making an autocracy.’
I have David Knopflers album "Lifelines" from 1991. I wouldn't say it sounds like Dire Straits but funny enough.. It probably sounds more like Dire Straits than most Mark Knopflers soloalbums. I would say it is a pretty good album. Might be worth checking out if you have all the Dire Straits albums and want something not too unlike it!
Great stuff! "People are like islands, slowly they drift apart." Phaps ppl should just know that and not fight against it. I mean you drift into another island, downstream. You will then have more room for this if you are not clinging on to the past.
You can't help but get the feeling that there's probably not a great deal of love lost between the two brothers, even now. I think it's tolerably well-known that David's at that time inability to meet the demands of Mark's songs was a major cause of the enmity between them that ultimately led to David's departure from DS...or that was Mark's perception, certainly. That said, I think that Mark may have lauded it over his brother somewhat. Tensions within rock bands often run high at the best of times and when you add a big brother/little brother element into it, it's almost inevitably going to be a powder keg likely to explode, unfortunately.
I completely agree with you. You are the only one who wrote to the point. Mark had high demands on musicians and that's right. A non-professional cannot play good music. David can say anything, but let's look at the facts: a thousand people know David, millions know Mark. I wish David good luck in everything, but he will never rise to the heights of Mark.
In my humble opinion, the pure and refreshing sound of DS (first 2 albums) was lost when David left the band...Maybe Mark wanted to turn towards a more commercial sound and songwriting and forced his way out. Pick Withers took the opportunity to run as soon as he could... and he went as far as he could, and John (who was not an exceptional bassist, a virtuoso, not even close...) jumped on the bandwagon of the business, even doing administrative and commercial management tasks... meanwhile, all kinds of musicians and technicians passed by along the way (like John Suhr, with whom it seems things didn't end well either...) In short, Mark is a very good guitarist and a brilliant composer who was clear about what he wanted to achieve, and who was also clear that the best way to fail in his purpose was to try to please everyone.
It’s as simple as this, Mark was the guitar master, the great songwriter. He’s a one off and that’s why people listen to him and buy his music! On the other hand, David wasn’t a success because that’s just show biz! But on the bright side David still has his hair!
David Knopfler is one of my favorite artists, and i have all of his albums in my collect, except the latest release, as its always out of stock (why?). I simply do not like Marks music, has no depth of soul, and Davids voice is miles better. Thanks for the music David, love from Australia.
Having a personal discourse with David, I must say he is not What he appears.He is terribly filled with conflict and will not allow a different opinion.He will Block you at the drop of a hat.He comes across so benign...He is hate filled.
Yes, Philipp, he said "Mark is a triple Leo" -- thank you because I didn't catch that at first but then I listened again and it's clear. David means that Mark's zodiac sun sign is Leo, and also that it's his rising sign. Then there's a third aspect that's Leo which I don't understand. Leos are forceful, dynamic and leaders. Edge of U2 is a Leo. Edge is quieter but just as forceful. He keeps Bono (Taurus) in line. This is all hypothetical. I just googled his astrological chart and the person who posted it had his sun sign as Leo, then Aries and Pisces and Sagittarius for other aspects. Who knows.
Mark Knopfler is a great performer and song writer, but almost certainly has some sort of narcissistic personality disorder. The way he always repeats the exact same stories about how he started without a real amp, finger picking etc is like a rehearsed spiel that he knows works to impress and make him appear as a humble and unassuming working class lad. Whenever someone works that hard on their image, alarm bells should go off.
I like how John Beaudin just gives so much time to David Knopfler to speak and let him elaborate what he wants to say. I mean, so many interviewers keep you tight and don't really listen to you but rather do control you. John Beaudin ask an open question and then - listens. I like that way.
"When you wanted to meet a friend you went down the road and hoped they were there" - so true!
I really admire David. Authentic and grounded. Love his father. Thanks for letting David talk.
"Thanks for letting David talk" - x 100
Dave is pure class
There was friction between David and Mark. I’ve read in many articles that Mark didn’t treat David very well while he was in the band. Mark would say David wasn’t good enough. That’s the one things that always bothered me about Mark. David seems so down to earth and not full of himself. I’m glad he’s doing well.
David was no worse than anybody that followed him, but bands are like that and personalities clash. Maybe it’s impossible to have a coherent long-term project if some sort of individualism doesn’t prevail. Most bands’ histories suggest so. Sad but true. Only natural followers who have no problem with the leader’s leadership make it to the end of the band, when the leader is just too bored and finally sends everybody home.
@@jmc250373 The SAD story of the Straits brothers' sibling rivalry, is by far NOT a unique phenomenon, no, no!! Just think about the Wilson guys of the Beach boys and the Gallaghers of the Oasis!! What really seems to hurt, seen through the eyes of a fan of them, is that you kind of feel yourself forced to take some kind of a part to ONE of them, and not only take them both, as the VERY good musicians they both have been and, as of present, still are!! Throughout the years, David seems to act as a more complete artist than Mark, amongst many things given that David seems to be more and more participating in more or less ALL kinds of social and human issues! MILLIONS of Straits fans out there are SOO waiting for the REAL moment, when the two Knopfler guys one day will bury their weapons and enter a studio or a stage, in a VERY, VERY reunification, at least for ONE entire day! Regards, Jake Hansen, Western Scandinavia...
Well, Mark was ambitious. Add to possible rivalries that he may have wanted to get “the best of the best” onboard and there you have it. DS had some great rhythm guitarists after all.
Sad but true, that’s why dire straits is what it is
David play excellent rhythm guitar. Exceptional on Communique
I honesty think their early stuff was their best.
Guys, I have always followed Dire Straits, I love their music from the first album to the last, just as I continue to follow Mark, David, Dire Straits Legacy, Expierience and everything related to them and over time I have formed my own idea about Dire Straits. Knopfler brothers. Mark was the undisputed great talent and I love his style and everything he produced and I will always thank him for that. behind the undisputed talent there is a man, with his character which does not necessarily have to be perfect, with his insecurities, who was young, had pressure, and who perhaps at the time was not even very serene, so it could be that at certain times it wasn't easy to work with him... and this perhaps especially concerns his brother David because I don't think working together as a family has ever been easy... Let alone for public figures. David took another path and it was absolutely his right to do so. But I think the problem with their relationship wasn't so much the fact that David left, but something that happened later regarding royalties, a dispute between Straits' former manager and David...according to which the latter he claimed that his royalty money was essentially being withheld unfairly and according to David, Mark basically didn't take his defense. I don't know if this is true, but whatever happened now, years have passed, both are of an age and have children who perhaps don't know each other and I hope with all my heart that even if I never have to see them play together again (which instead, I would really like a reunion of the two brothers) I hope one day they can put aside all the misunderstandings and can hug each other again... and I hope so especially for them at this point in their lives.
David's story of how he played Mark's Strat copy behind his back, so bittersweet. One brother destined to live in the shadow of the other. But he broke out of that and created a musical career for himself. Shame that they are still estranged.
Dire straits are my favourite band!!
Dire straits Were a Awsome band.
🌝👍
Read John Illsley's book on his time in Dire Straits. It's a cracking read.
When I first heard Dire Straits I just loved their sound! All extremely talented boys and so well recorded! I loved the music but I was drawn to Mark Knopfler as a masterful, soulful guitarist singer-songwriter! ... it's a great bonus that he is a baritone and so am I.
It’s very very hard having a older brother who is a genius and is obviously going to be the centre of global attention , it’s ok if your just a band member actually it’s great he makes you a success too, but when it’s your older brother it hurts like hell.
I think you’ve hit the nail on the head here. Competent musician like John Illsley recognised MKs talent and opportunity and was happy to ride his coat tails and I’m sure he has been rewarded very well for his loyalty and long service.
David is a lovely guy but he’s not a patch on Marks talent, but that’s very hard to see when he’s your brother. I reckon David thought he could replicate Marks success, he “just needed to step out of Marks shadow”. But sadly he just doesn’t have the talent. The world is full of good musicians, but there’s a huge gulf between good and genius.
I’m sure Mark probably felt he’d given David the opportunity of a lifetime and felt betrayed when he turned it down and/or wasn’t prepared to put the effort it. Musical geniuses are like entrepreneurs akin to Mr Musk, they demand a lot and want their pound of flesh. If you’re not prepared to knuckle down, goodbye.
Having said all that it doesn’t explain why the brothers are still estranged. There must be more to this story.
David is an incredible guitar player and writer.
When social history beats rock history. Thankyou John & David.
David is a ridiculously great writer. I wish he'd put some of his talent into a novel.
David seems such a nice, lovable, humble guy. Love all of his insightful answers on the interview, specially concerning his crafting of songs and storytelling; very diplomatic concerning certain topics from the past too.
Now it is time for a Mark interview
you can dream !
David about Mark: ‘I spent a lot of time doing therapy and dealing with my issues and ghosts and demons,’ ‘Maybe Mark has, too. I don’t know what he does. Of course, it casts a huge shadow on both our lives and on our families. We’ve got cousins who don’t know each other.’
‘By that time he was “king”,’ David says. ‘But he was the bloke I’d shared a bedroom with. How could I be deferential to him? Mark and I had a different vision of what we were up to. I was building a democracy, and Mark was making an autocracy.’
David's last two albums... Oh my goodness... Masterpieces.
More great little nuggets from David, thank you!
Great interview. Thank you
I have David Knopflers album "Lifelines" from 1991. I wouldn't say it sounds like Dire Straits but funny enough.. It probably sounds more like Dire Straits than most Mark Knopflers soloalbums. I would say it is a pretty good album. Might be worth checking out if you have all the Dire Straits albums and want something not too unlike it!
David’s recent solo album is beautiful you guys should definitely check it out
Great stuff! "People are like islands, slowly they drift apart." Phaps ppl should just know that and not fight against it. I mean you drift into another island, downstream. You will then have more room for this if you are not clinging on to the past.
You can't help but get the feeling that there's probably not a great deal of love lost between the two brothers, even now. I think it's tolerably well-known that David's at that time inability to meet the demands of Mark's songs was a major cause of the enmity between them that ultimately led to David's departure from DS...or that was Mark's perception, certainly. That said, I think that Mark may have lauded it over his brother somewhat. Tensions within rock bands often run high at the best of times and when you add a big brother/little brother element into it, it's almost inevitably going to be a powder keg likely to explode, unfortunately.
I completely agree with you. You are the only one who wrote to the point. Mark had high demands on musicians and that's right. A non-professional cannot play good music.
David can say anything, but let's look at the facts: a thousand people know David, millions know Mark.
I wish David good luck in everything, but he will never rise to the heights of Mark.
THE BROTHERS ARE ESTRANGED, Mark said they don't speak .
@@Viktoria-2020 I agree with you. Very well said!
Have you ever heard David play? He is a really good musician. Mark treated him badly. Mark got divorced and was miserable and David was happy.
David's comment that back then there was no Google or RUclips to learn. I felt the same. It was hard to find chords of Rock Bnads in the 70's.
In my humble opinion, the pure and refreshing sound of DS (first 2 albums) was lost when David left the band...Maybe Mark wanted to turn towards a more commercial sound and songwriting and forced his way out. Pick Withers took the opportunity to run as soon as he could... and he went as far as he could, and John (who was not an exceptional bassist, a virtuoso, not even close...) jumped on the bandwagon of the business, even doing administrative and commercial management tasks... meanwhile, all kinds of musicians and technicians passed by along the way (like John Suhr, with whom it seems things didn't end well either...) In short, Mark is a very good guitarist and a brilliant composer who was clear about what he wanted to achieve, and who was also clear that the best way to fail in his purpose was to try to please everyone.
Great Band Dire straits
Great interview
I wonder if Mark has changed somewhat , he seems more mellow from the videos I've watched with him and Emmylou Harris.
He certainly changed and it is a good thing they both went their seperate ways.
What about “Sacred Loving” the one Dire Straits song that David wrote and sang?
And Bernadette and What’s the matter baby
It’s as simple as this, Mark was the guitar master, the great songwriter. He’s a one off and that’s why people listen to him and buy his music! On the other hand, David wasn’t a success because that’s just show biz!
But on the bright side David still has his hair!
Does David really seem show biz to you in this interview? C’mon.
@DJ 🤦♂️…
David Knopfler is one of my favorite artists, and i have all of his albums in my collect, except the latest release, as its always out of stock (why?). I simply do not like Marks music, has no depth of soul, and Davids voice is miles better. Thanks for the music David, love from Australia.
Mark never had warm eyes seems to me, when he smiles it is nice
Elvis v Priscilla...Mark v David...think about it folks...
Every feature on David always trys to paint Mark in a bad light its getting really old.
❤
Rocky Stream Music.
Having a personal discourse with David, I must say he is not What he appears.He is terribly filled with conflict and will not allow a different opinion.He will Block you at the drop of a hat.He comes across so benign...He is hate filled.
What does David say @ 1:19: "Mark is a tripple leo" ???
Yes, David is just a double capricorn
"Mark is such a bully"
@@TedBoyRomarino No, he didn't say "bully". He said "triple Leo", like Philipp Halner thought.
Yes, Philipp, he said "Mark is a triple Leo" -- thank you because I didn't catch that at first but then I listened again and it's clear.
David means that Mark's zodiac sun sign is Leo, and also that it's his rising sign. Then there's a third aspect that's Leo which I don't understand. Leos are forceful, dynamic and leaders. Edge of U2 is a Leo. Edge is quieter but just as forceful. He keeps Bono (Taurus) in line. This is all hypothetical. I just googled his astrological chart and the person who posted it had his sun sign as Leo, then Aries and Pisces and Sagittarius for other aspects. Who knows.
@@sarahm.5356 Thanks a lot, Sarah
father a hungarian refugee
Mark Knopfler is a great performer and song writer, but almost certainly has some sort of narcissistic personality disorder. The way he always repeats the exact same stories about how he started without a real amp, finger picking etc is like a rehearsed spiel that he knows works to impress and make him appear as a humble and unassuming working class lad. Whenever someone works that hard on their image, alarm bells should go off.