While I was into many different types of music, and played with many different local groups, I really didn't have a band to call my own until Dire Straits was formed in 1977.

For both the album and the tour Paul Franklin was added to the line-up on pedal steel. Also in 2002 Knopfler released his third solo album The Ragpicker's Dream. The recording included Mark Knopfler (guitar and vocals) Steve Phillips (second guitar) Dave Johnson (bass) and Paul Granger (percussion).

He has produced albums for Tina Turner Bob Dylan and Randy Newman. Mark Freuder Knopfler OBE (born 12 August 1949) is a British guitarist singer songwriter record producer and film score composer.