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David Knopfler (born December 27, 1952 in Glasgow) is a Scottish guitarist, singer and songwriter.
Founder member of Dire Straits along with his brother Mark, though David left the group after recording the first three albums so as to 'broaden his horizons'. David played rhythm guitar on Dire Straits' first two albums, Dire Straits and Communiqué. During the recording of Making Movies he left the group to pursue a solo career.
After leaving Dire Straits, David released his first solo album in 1983 titled Release. Behind the Lines his second album was released in 1985 and Cut the Wire in 1986. 1988 saw the release of his fourth album, Lips Against the Steel. - released in the U.S. by Cypress Records. Lifelines in 1991 was recorded in Peter Gabriel's Real World Studios. David released The Giver in 1993. (MESA/Bluemoon in the US). Its sparse acoustic arrangements brought strong critical acclaim. Co-produced with Harry Bogdanovs, Small Mercies and Wishbones followed in 1995 & 2001. Chris Rea guested on Wishbones.
His latest CD, Ship of Dreams was released in 2004. A book of poetry has been recently published with the title Blood Stones and Rhythmic Beasts by UK's BlackWing books (Released 6 May 2005. ISBN 0-9550260).
The US & Canadian jazz label Justintime Records released Ship of Dreams in October 2005 with an alternate rendition of Tears Fall featuring Megan Slankard (replacing Jule Neigel on the original European release).
Recent co-writing projects have included co-writes with Amilia Spicer, Mack Starks, Megan Slankard and Wendy Lands.
David has also scored the soundtracks for German TV productions including such films as: Treffer (1984), Jakob hinter der blauen Tür (1989) and Der grosse Bellheim.

Knopfler has started recording his next album with keyboardist/producer, Tony Carey.

ALBUMS


David Knopfler
Crow Gifts
2024
David Knopfler
Shooting For The Moon
2022, CD, Album, Paris Records (4)
David Knopfler
Skating On The Lake
2022, CD, Album, Paris Records (4)
David Knopfler
Anthology Volume Four
2021, CD, Album, Comp, Paris Records (6)
David Knopfler
Last Train Leaving
2020, CD, Album, Paris Records (4),
David Knopfler
Songs Of Loss And Love
2020, CD, Album, Paris Records (4),
David Knopfler
Heartlands
2019, CD, Album, Paris Records (4)
David Knopfler
Anthology - Volumes 2 And 3
2016, 2xCD, Album, Comp, S/Edition, Paris Records (4)
David Knopfler
Grace
2015
David Knopfler With Harry Bogdanovs
Made In Germany
2013
David Knopfler With Harry Bogdanovs
Acoustic
2011
David Knopfler
The Anthology: 1983–2008
2009
David Knopfler
The Love Of Your Life
2006, 7", Single, Blue Rose Records (2)
David Knopfler
Songs For The Siren
2006
David Knopfler
4U (Rabbit Song)
2004, CD, Single, Promo, Edel, Edel Records
David Knopfler
Ship Of Dreams
2004
David Knopfler Feat. Eddi Reader
May You Never
2002, CD, Single, Copy Prot., Edel, Tru Note
David Knopfler With Chris Rea
A Clear Day (St. Swithun's Day)
2002, CD, Single, Copy Prot., Edel, Tru Note
David Knopfler
If God Could Make The Angels
2001, CD, Single, Promo, Edel, Tru Note
David Knopfler
"Wishbones" EPK
2001, CDr, Promo, Edel
David Knopfler
David Knopfler
2001, CDr, Promo, Smplr, Edel
David Knopfler
Wishbones
2001
David Knopfler
The Heart Of It
1995, CD, Single, Ariola, BMG
David Knopfler
Forty Days And Night • Deptford Days
1994, CD, Single, Ariola, BMG
David Knopfler
Domino
1994, CD, Single, Permanent Records
David Knopfler
Small Mercies
1994
David Knopfler
Carry On
1993, CD, Maxi, BMG, Chlodwig
David Knopfler
Mercy With The Wine
1993, CD, Single, Ariola, BMG
David Knopfler
The Giver
1993, CD, ,
Classic Rock
David Knopfler
Lonely Is The Night
1991
David Knopfler
Yeah... But What Do Men Want?
1991
David Knopfler
Lifelines
1991
David Knopfler
Lips Against The Steel
1988, CD,
David Knopfler
Heat Comes Down
1988
David Knopfler
Whispers Of Gethsemane
1988
David Knopfler
To Feel That Way Again
1988
David Knopfler
The Hurricane
1987, Vinyl Yellow Transparent, ,
Pop Rock
David Knopfler
FreaKshow
1987
David Knopfler
When We Kiss
1986
David Knopfler
Cut The Wire
1986, ,
Classic Rock
David Knopfler
The Missing Book
1985, 7", Single, Aztec (3), EMI
David Knopfler
Heart To Heart
1985
David Knopfler
Shockwave
1985
David Knopfler
Behind The Lines
1985
David Knopfler
When The Rain Stops
1984, 12", Maxi, Mono, Blu, Intercord, ,
Pop Rock/Soundtrack/Theme
David Knopfler
Madonna's Daughter / Hey Henry
1984, 7", Single, Fast Alley
David Knopfler
Little Brother
1984, 7", Single, Peach River Records
David Knopfler
Madonna's Daughter
1984, 7", Single, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria
David Knopfler
Advance Radio Sampler
1983, 12", Advance, Promo, Smplr, Passport Records
David Knopfler
Side Show
1983
David Knopfler
Release
1983, Vinyl Gatefold, ,
Pop Rock/Ballad
David Knopfler
Soul Kissing
1983
David Knopfler
Madonna's Daughter / Sideshow
1983
Various
Hit-Sensation Top-Aktuell
1985
Oh Boy!
Masterplan
1981, 7", Ariola
Dire Straits
Live 1978-1992
2023, ,
Rock & Roll
Dire Straits
The Studio Albums 1978 - 1991
2020, Box Set, CD, CD, CD, CD, CD, CD, ,
Classic Rock
Dire Straits
The Honky Tonk Demos
2015, 2x7", EP, RSD, Ltd, Gat, Mercury, Universal UMC, ,
Classic Rock/Blues Rock
Dire Straits
Sultans Of Swing (The Very Best Of Dire Straits)
1998
Dire Straits
Live At The BBC
1995, ,
Classic Rock
Dire Straits
Best
1992, Vinyl, ,
Blues Rock/Classic Rock
Dire Straits
Money For Nothing
1988, CD, ,
Blues Rock/Folk Rock/Pop Rock
Dire Straits
Dire Straits
1985, Acetate, LP, S/Sided, Pyral
Dire Straits
Album De Oro
1983
Dire Straits
Twisting By The Pool
1983
Dire Straits
Dire Straits
1981
Dire Straits
Communiqué
1979
Dire Straits
Lady Writer
1979
Dire Straits
Live (The Warner Bros. Music Show)
1979, Vinyl, ,
Pop Rock/Blues Rock/Arena Rock/Rock & Roll
Dire Straits
Dire Straits
1978, ,
Classic Rock
Dire Straits
Sultans Of Swing
1978, Vinyl, ,
Pop Rock/Classic Rock
Dire Straits
Philadelphia 1979 Pre-FM Reel
2025, CD, Unofficial, Wardour
David Knopfler
Crow Gifts
2024
Dire Straits
Songs From Deptford - Live In London
2021
Dire Straits
Transmission Impossible (Classic Radio Broadcast Recordings)
2020, 3xCD, Unofficial, Eat To The Beat
Dire Straits
Once Upon A Time In USA 1979
2018, 3xCDr, Unofficial, Midnight Dreamer
Dire Straits
The Palladium, New York - September 11, 1979
2015
David Knopfler
Grace
2015
Dire Straits
Live At Leeds
2014
David Knopfler
The Anthology: 1983–2008
2009, CD,
David Knopfler
Songs For The Siren
2006
David Knopfler
Ship Of Dreams
2004
David Knopfler
Small Mercies
1997
Dire Straits
Boston 1979
1995
Dire Straits
Bijou
1993
Dire Straits
Rock File '81 (Stars)
1992, CD, Comp, Unofficial, Men At Work,
Dire Straits
Rock File '80 (Atmosphera)
1992, CD, Comp, Unofficial, Men At Work
Dire Straits
Rock File '79 (A Deep Feeling For Beauty)
1992
Dire Straits
Europe 1979
1992
Dire Straits
Walk Of Live
1992
Dire Straits
Rock File '78 (Aphrodisiac Feeling)
1992
Dire Straits
Rotterdam 1978
1990, CD, ,
Classic Rock
Dire Straits
Lady Love
1990
Dire Straits
On The Road To Philadelphia
1989
Dire Straits
Communiqué
1979
Dire Straits
Live At Cologne 1979
1979
Dire Straits
Dire Straits
1979
Dire Straits
On The Road To Philadelphia
1979
Dire Straits
Central Park, New York, NY, January 01, 1981
CDr, Album, Unofficial, Not On Label (Dire Straits)
Dire Straits
Köln 79
2xCDr, Unofficial, Galaxy Records (27), National Records (27)
Dire Straits
Wettingen 79
CDr, Unofficial, Not On Label (Dire Straits)
Dire Straits
Washington '79
2xCDr, Unofficial, Not On Label (Dire Straits)
Dire Straits
"Rockpalast 79" WDR T.V. Studio Colonia 16.02.1979
CDr, Ltd, Unofficial, Vin, Tinix Productions
Dire Straits
Philadelphia 1979 FM Broadcast
CDr, Unofficial, Uxbridge
David Knopfler
Wishbones
David Knopfler
Release
CD, ,
Pop Rock/Ballad
Dire Straits
Brothers In Arms
David Knopfler
Cut The Wire
Dire Straits
Money For Nothing
David Knopfler
Lifelines

APPEARANCES +


Held By Trees
Solace
2021, Vinyl Eco Vinyl, ,
Post Rock/Experimental
Alberto Pizzo
On The Way
2014, CD, Album, Incipit
Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco, Robert Nathan
Morning In Iowa
2012, CD, Album, Soundset Recordings
Mack Starks
Blind Spot
2005, CD, Album, Nitrolian Records, ,
Pop Rock/Indie Rock
Various
Своё Радио 6
2005, CD, Comp, Promo, Play Magazine, ,
Acid Jazz/Soul/Pop Rock/Downtempo/Synth-pop/Trip Hop/Abstract/Industrial/Heavy Metal/Alternative Rock/Folk Rock/New Age/Modern Electric Blues/Ballad/Reggaeton/Hip Hop
Various
Janksessions
2002, CD, Comp, Universal
Dire Straits / The Kinks
In Concert
1991, 2xLP, Transcription, Tra, Westwood One Radio Networks
Dire Straits / Police*
In Concert
1988, 2x Vinyl Translucent, ,
Classic Rock
Water Is Life Band
Water Is Life
1987, 7", Single, EMI, ,
Pop Rock
Various
1..2..3... Hit-Power
1987
Christine East
This Is Forever
1987
Various
Hits In Overdrive
1986
Various
Schimanskis Tatort Hits
1986
Various
Volume 8 Program 3
1985, 2x12", Disconet Program Service, ,
Soul/Disco/Synth-pop/Reggae-Pop
Various
Hitaktiv 85/86
1985, Cass, Comp, Promo, Intercord, ,
Pop Rock/Synth-pop/Schlager
Various
Hit Sensation
1985, 2x Vinyl, ,
Schlager
Robert Klein Featuring Monty Python, Dire Straits & John David Souther
The Robert Klein Hour - Show #17 (October 14, 1979)
1979, LP, Transcription + LP, S/Sided, Transcription, D.I.R. Broadcasting Corp.
Various
The Honky Tonk Demos
1979, Cass, Album, Comp, Promo, Oval (3), ,
New Wave/Doo Wop/Pop Rock/Ballad/Funk/Folk Rock/Blues Rock
Various
The Honky Tonk Demos
1979
Dire Straits / The Motors
In Concert-182
1978, LP, Transcription, BBC Transcription Services, ,
New Wave/Pub Rock/Public Broadcast
John Denver / Dire Straits
John Denver / Dire Straits
1978, LP, Comp, Transcription, Afrts, United States Department Of Defense, American Forces Radio And Television Service
Sargfabrik
Klangwelten
2017, CD-ROM, Klangwelten ABO-KONZERTZYKLUS
Various
Best Of Tatort
2017
Various
Het Beste Van 2 Meter Sessies 1987-2009
2009, 3xCD, Comp, Universal Music, ,
Acoustic
Various
Die Besten Album-Tracks Aller Zeiten ...
2009, 3xCD, Comp + Box, Edel Records
Various
Love Collection
2007, 2xCD, Comp, Edel Italia Srl, ,
Soft Rock/RnB/Swing
Various
Blue Rose Nuggets 22
2006, CD, Enh, Smplr, Blue Rose Records (2)
Various
Auf Achse - Die Besten Hits Für Die Straße
2006, CD, Comp, Eurovideo
Various
2XX6 Roses - A Year In Music
2006, CD, Comp, Promo, Blue Rose Records (2), ,
Indie Rock/Folk Rock
Various
Rock For Asia
2006
Various
Love Emotions
2005, 2xCD, Comp, edel Italia, ,
Europop/Vocal
Various
February 2005 Part 5
2005, CD, Comp, Ltd, Promo, Dee Jay Mix Club
Various
Burn! Vol.7
2005, CD, Comp, Promo, PMA Intermedia
Various
Mystic Spirits - Special Classic Edition 3
2004, 2xCD, Comp, ZYX Music, ,
Electro/Pop Rock/Ambient/Exotica
Various
All Men - The Best Singers
2004, 2xCD, Comp, Universal
Various
Playground Sampler 10.2004
2004, CDr, Promo, Smplr, Playground Music Scandinavia
Various
Classic Rock Ballads
2004, CD, Comp, Universal, ,
Ballad/Pop Rock
Various
Classic Rock Ballads
2003, 2xCD, Comp, Universal Music B.V., ,
Pop Rock/Ballad
Various
Classic Rock Ballads
2003, 2xCD, Comp, Universal
Various
Midnite Hour - The Modern Blues Collection
2003, CD, Comp, Copy Prot., Edel Records
Various
Tatort - Die Beste Musik Aus 500 Folgen
2002, CD, Comp, Sony Music Media, Sony Music Media, Sony Music Media
Various
Merry Cremissimo - 15 Kuschel-Classics
2002, CD, Comp, Edel Records
Various
Radioplay - Euro Express - 449U - February 22, 2002
2002, CD, Comp, Promo, Radioplay, Euro Express
Various
Guitar Ballads
2002, 2xCD, Comp, Universal Music
Various
Man
2002
Various
Mystic Spirits Vol. 4
2001, 2xCD, Comp, ZYX Music, ,
New Age/Ambient
Various
Dieter Thomas Heck Präsentiert Die Super Hitparade
2001, CD, Comp, Brunswick
Dariusz Michalczewski
Presents - Tiger Hits
1999, 3xCD, Comp + Box, Ariola Express
Various
Rock Ballads
1999, 3xCD, Comp + Box, BMG, BMG, BMG, ,
Pop Rock/Ballad
Various
Best Of Schimanski
1998
Various
Aiwa The Alternative That Rocks Sampler Vol. I
1995, CD, Comp, Promo, Smplr, Compass Productions,
Various
Hitbreaker - Pop News 1/94
1994, 2xCD, Comp, Club, SR International, ,
Eurodance/Euro House/Pop Rock/House/Downtempo/Vocal/Europop/Synth-pop/Rhythm & Blues/Dub/Reggae-Pop/Soft Rock/Prog Rock/Soul/Schlager
Various
Strings 'N' Beans
1994, CD, Comp, BMG Music, RCA, High Street Records, Mesa (2)
Various
Release #5 1994 The Atlantic Group
1994, Cass, Promo, Smplr, SR, Atlantic
Various
Musiques Gauloises - Blondes Emotions 2
1994, 2x CD, Box Set, ,
Ballad/Pop Rock
Various
Phonogram News 5/91
1991, CD, Comp, Promo, Mercury, ,
Pop Rock/Synth-pop/Schlager
Various
Phonogram News 7 / 91
1991, CD, Comp, Promo, Mercury, ,
Pop Rock/Synth-pop/Schlager
Various
Phonogram News 4 / 91
1991, CD, Comp, Promo, Mercury, Phonogram
Various
Phonogram News 3 / 91
1991, CD, Comp, Promo, Mercury, Phonogram
Various
Phonogram Germany Presents Music For Pleasure
1991, CD, Comp, Promo, Pap, Mercury, ,
Alternative Rock/Chanson/Pop Rock/Schlager/Hard Rock/Ballad/Classic Rock
Various
Phonogram News 6 / 91
1991, CD, Comp, Promo, Mercury
Various
Phonogram News 2/91
1991, CD, Comp, Promo, Mercury
Various
Polygram Maj 1991 - 1:a Samlingen
1991, Cass, Comp, Promo, PolyGram,
Various
ALF's Super Hitparade
1991
Various
Trabbi Goes To Hollywood - The Original Soundtrack
1991
Various
Goldene Europa '91
1991, CD, ,
Pop Rock
Various
Heavy Hits Vol. 1
1991, CD, ,
Hard Rock/Heavy Metal
Various
Hitaktiv 89 - April / Mai
1989, CD, Comp, Promo, Intercord, ,
House/Soft Rock/Synth-pop/Schlager
Various
Focus Trax
1989, CD, Promo, Focus Trax,
Various
Critics Choice II
1988
Various
Critics Choice II
1988
Various
Om Kundliga Posten
1987, Cass, Comp, TalkBack (2),
Various
Super Hits Aktuell • Deutsch - Englisch Vol. 2
1987, Cass, Comp, Club, Dol, SR International
Various
1 Part Sin, 2 Parts Soul Vol. 4
1987, Cass, Comp, Pushbike Records
Various
Super Hits Aktuell • Deutsch - Englisch
1987, ,
Synth-pop/Schlager
Various
Na Sowas!
1987, 2x Vinyl, ,
Italo-Disco/Disco/Synth-pop/Rock & Roll
Various
Formula-One-Hits
1986, 3xLP, Comp + Box, Comp, Ariola, ,
Pop Rock/Synth-pop/Disco
Various
In Leading Position
1986, 3xLP, Comp, Ariola, Ariola, Towerbell Records, ,
Synth-pop
Various
What Is Love.... - Die Schönsten Rockballaden
1986
Various
Woman In Love Volume 5
1986
Various
Hit-Sensation Top-Aktuell
1985
Various
Howlin' For Hits
1984
Various
Hit-Telegramm
1984, 2x Vinyl Gatefold, ,
Schlager/Europop
Various
Highlights CD 2 (Meisterwerke Aus Pop Und Rock)
1984
Various
Woman In Love Volume 4
1983, 2xLP, Comp, Gat, Arcade
Various
1983
1983, Cass, Comp, Promo, CrO, Polar
Various
Rock On The Road
CD, Comp, Spectrum,
Various
Midnight Slow Ready
Cass, Comp, Volcano Recording
Various
Soft Rock Hits
Various
Rock Hits On Tour
Various
Feel The Music - Dream And Dance Vol. 1
,
Synth-pop/Pop Rock/Eurodance/Soul
Dire Straits
Gold Collection
2018, CD-ROM, Comp, Unofficial, MP3, Media Play (2), ,
Blues Rock/Pop Rock/Classic Rock/Country/Jazz-Rock/Fusion
Various
1986 Megamix (Best Of 25 Years D58 Mixes) Disc 1
2009, CDr, Comp, Mixed, Promo, Unofficial, Not On Label, Not On Label, ,
Synth-pop/Euro House/Pop Rock/Ballad/Italo-Disco/Disco/EBM/New Wave/Score/Ambient/Electro/Funk/Pop Rap/Jazz-Funk/Soft Rock
Various
Новый рок 50/50
2007, CD-ROM, Comp, Unofficial, MP3, Digital Zounds,
Chris Rea
Chris Rea & Friends
2006, CD, Comp, Unofficial, Robin Hood Records (8), ,
Pop Rock
Mark Knopfler
Philadelphia Gold-Best 2001
2001, CD, Comp, Unofficial, Not On Label (Mark Knopfler)
Mark Knopfler А Также David Knopfler
Коллекция Студийных Альбомов И Саундтреков 1983-2000
2000, CD-ROM, Comp, Unofficial, MP3, Навигатор, Домашняя Коллекция
Various
Eurodisco 27
1985, Cass, Comp, Unofficial, B.W., ,
Euro-Disco/Synth-pop
Various
Новый Рок 50/50
CD-ROM, Comp, Unofficial, Mp3, Ice Records (4), ,
Pop Rock/Hard Rock/Heavy Metal/Gothic Metal/Alternative Rock/Nu Metal
Various
Music For Dancing Vol. 4
Cass, Comp, Unofficial, Thomsun Original
Phil Collins & Dire Straits
Live USA