Born in Glasgow, Scotland, Knopfler grew up in Newcastle Upon Tyne in the North of England. With a guitar, a piano and a drum kit by age 11, it's not surprising to find him master of the many instruments he uses. By 14, he was performing his own songs in folk clubs.

Despite a college degree he can't recall any other aspirations beyond composing and playing music.

In 1977 David founded Dire Straits, and with brother Mark, bass player John Issley and drummer Pik Withers, recorded three albums and toured extensively before resigning three years later to broaden his horizons. "In the Straits I learned how to translate the intimate from the bedroom to the arena. Since leaving I've been wondering how you put the genii back in the bottle."

After leaving Dire Straits, Knopfler released his first solo album in 1983, titled Release. Mark Knopfler and John Illsley both played on the album.

David has since toured the world doing electric and acoustic gigs and released 12 albums, the latest being Acoustic (with Harry Bogdanovs) and Made in Germany (Live in Erfurt - with Harry Bogdanovs)

Knopfler remains unmoved by hyperbole: "I'm just a songwriter" he says " all this talking about the process has nothing to do with whether my next song will be the best I ever wrote - or the best I ever recorded, or whether my next live performance of it will be my best rendition i.e. whether I can communicate it effectively... the rest is so much air. This new record is easily my best work to date and I dug deeper than I ever have before to create it. I hope the critics and public will agree with me"

website: www.knopfler.com