Look To The Stars News: Mark Knopfler

Stars Line Up For The Return Of The Secret Policeman's Ball

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 18:50:00 +0000

The Secret Policeman’s Ball is back – and its heading for America!

Amnesty International’s legendary charity show – featuring a plethora of music and comedy talent – will hit the Radio City Music Hall on March 4. Organizers have confirmed Coldplay, Russell Brand, Mumford & Sons, Stephen Colbert, Jon Stewart and Reggie Watts as part of the lineup, with more to come.

“We are so happy to be involved with the 2012 Secret Policeman’s Ball,” said Chris Martin of Coldplay. “We have followed and supported Amnesty International – and the amazing work they do around the world in the field of human rights – for years, and it is a pleasure to be asked to contribute to such an inspiring event.”

Chimes Of Freedom: Stars Cover Bob Dylan For Charity

Thu, 24 Nov 2011 15:30:00 +0000

Two iconic forces that have impacted the past 50 years – the life-saving human rights activism of Nobel Peace Prize-winning Amnesty International and the incomparable artistry of Bob Dylan – are being saluted by 80 musicians who contributed new or previously unreleased recordings to Chimes of Freedom: The Songs of Bob Dylan Honoring 50 Years of Amnesty International.

The collection is scheduled for physical (4 discs) and digital release in North America on January 24, 2012 through Fontana Distribution. It will be distributed internationally through Fontana International, a Universal Music company, on January 30.

Chimes of Freedom features a stellar and diverse group of artists across the generational and musical spectrum. The performers, including many of Amnesty International’s longtime supporters, range in age from teenage pop star Miley Cyrus, 19, to folk music legend Pete Seeger, who, at 92, records Dylan’s poignant “Forever Young,” with a children’s chorus.

Dire Straits Drummer To Return For Charity

Mon, 10 Jan 2011 13:00:00 +0000

Pick Withers – the original drummer for Mark Knopfler’s Dire Straits – will return to the stage later this month to raise money for a UK charity.

Withers – who played on Dire Straits’ first four albums, including songs such as Sultans of Swing, Romeo and Juliet and Telegraph Road – will join local musicians at The Green Room in Liverpool on January 20 to benefit Highcroft People’s Day Centre for the Disabled.

“This show stemmed out of show that my wife, who is a drama teacher, had put together to raise funds for cancer research,” Pick told the Wirral Globe. "Three of the young people who took part in that will be in the show on January 20.

Charles And Camilla Rock The Royal Albert Hall For Charity

Thu, 18 Nov 2010 15:00:00 +0000

Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall attended a massive charity rock concert in London last night to benefit the Prince’s Trust.

Phil Collins, Tom Jones, Jamie Cullum, Eric Clapton, Queen’s Brian May and Roger Taylor, Status Quo, Live Aid creator Midge Ure and many others hit the stage at the Royal Albert Hall on November 17 for the charity’s Rock Gala 2010. The evening was hosted by comedian Rob Brydon, Barry Humphries as his hilarious alter ego Dame Edna Everage. The show was filmed in 3D for a future release.

In the 1980s The Prince’s Trust was synonymous with the Rock Gala. The fundraising concerts were created when the UK economy was gripped by inflation, strikes and high unemployment following recession. Britain’s youth had little hope and no future. The Trust called upon supporters including Paul McCartney, Mick Jagger, Brian May and Tina Turner to form ‘super groups’, raising money to help the most disadvantaged young people.

Guitarists Sign Cards For Charity Auction

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 12:30:00 +0000

Some of the greatest guitarists in the world have taken the time to sign cards for a new charity auction starting this week.

StarCards.org will auction a collection of signed Great Ormond Street Hospital playing cards by legendary & renowned guitar players from the 5th November 2009, including Mark Knopfler, Eric Clapton, Gary Moore, Steve Vai, Francis Rossi, Rick Parfitt, Phil Hilborne, Neil Murray, Paul Carrack, Joe Brown, Scott Mckeon, and Ramon Diaz.

The highlight of the auction is a Fender Stratocaster Mark Knopfler signature model guitar donated by Fender UK and Bonnersmusic.co.uk of Eastbourne with a hard case as well as a unique display cabinet donated by Wallsoffame.co.uk. The Fender will be signed and personalised by Mark for the winning bidder and will be on display at Bonners until the 15th November.

Bid On Mark Knopfler's Guitar To Help Gallery

Fri, 18 Sep 2009 12:00:00 +0000

Guitarist Mark Knopfler has just released his latest solo album – Get Lucky – and to celebrate he has donated a guitar to benefit Chichester’s Pallant House Gallery in the UK.

The former Dire Straits frontman was at the modern art gallery in West Sussex on Saturday, September 12, to play a private fund-raising preview gig for his new album, and has donated his guitar to help fund the facility. The guitar is brand new, was set up for Mark by his guitar tech, Glenn Saggers, and was used throughout the concert.

“Knopfler was joined by Guy Fletcher, Luke Brighty and John McCusker at the charity event which was held in aid of the award-winning gallery’s appeal fund,” said Pallant House spokeswoman Emma Robertson. "Home to one of the best collections of modern British art in the country, the appeal works to secure the future of the gallery in perpetuity.

Mark Knopfler To Play For Prince's Trust

Mon, 17 Aug 2009 15:00:00 +0000

Guitar legend Mark Knopfler is to play a one-off show for charity next month.

The former Dire Straits front man will perform an hour long set with a supporting band of five leading musicians in the intimate setting of The Hurlingham Club in West London on September 9. The concert will benefit the Prince’s Trust and will include many of the international hit songs of Dire Straits. In his career Mark has sold in excess of 120 million albums – he is listed in Rolling Stone magazine as one of the greatest guitarists of all time, and to many aspiring musicians he is the ultimate icon.

The Prince’s Trust was set up by Prince Charles in 1976 to offer support to disadvantaged youth through training, mentoring and financial assistance.

London and Austin host GuitarTown for charity

Fri, 21 Sep 2007 07:12:00 +0000

Sir Paul McCartney is among a group of celebrities who have donated giant guitars to exhibitions in both America and England, to be auctioned off over the next few months.

The exhibitions are part of the Gibson GuitarTown Galas And Auctions being held in London and Austin, and feature both 10-foot-high and regular-sized guitars designed and signed by artists and musicians. The sculptures have been on show in the cities for 10 weeks, and will soon be removed in preparation for the auctions, which will benefit a variety of local charities.

“I just fancied playing a big guitar!” joked Sir Paul, who signed a sculpture designed by cartoonist Rosie Brooks entitled And The Crowd Goes Wild. “I think this one will hopefully catch the imagination of the public and whoever is going to buy it at the auction, and raise money for The Prince’s Trust, the Teenage Cancer Trust, and Nordoff Robbins Music Therapy – which are all great charities.”