David Knopfler Siblings: All About Ruth and Mark Knopfler
David Knopfler PHOTO/New York Times
David Knopfler, born on December 27, 1952, in Glasgow, Scotland, is a British musician, singer-songwriter, and record producer.
Raised in Newcastle upon Tyne after his family relocated there when he was a young child, Knopfler developed an early passion for music, mastering instruments like guitar, piano, and drums by the age of 11.
His influences included folk and rock artists such as Bob Dylan, whose albums were introduced to the household by his older sister.
Alongside his brother Mark, bassist John Illsley, and drummer Pick Withers, he co-founded Dire Straits in 1977, contributing as the rhythm guitarist and occasional songwriter on the band’s debut self-titled album in 1978 and its follow-up, Communiqué, in 1979.
After leaving the group in 1980 amid the pressures of sudden fame, Knopfler carved out a prolific solo career, releasing over a dozen albums that blend introspective folk-rock with acoustic storytelling.
Siblings
David’s older brother, Mark Knopfler, born in 1949, is the legendary frontman of Dire Straits, renowned for his masterful fingerpicking guitar style and songwriting that propelled the band to global superstardom with hits like “Sultans of Swing” and “Money for Nothing.”
By 2015, David publicly revealed that the siblings no longer speak, a rift he described as casting “a huge shadow on both our lives and our families,” with even their cousins estranged as a result.
Despite occasional nods to their shared history in David’s music and Mark’s concerts, reconciliation remains elusive.
David’s older sister, Ruth Selma Knopfler, born in 1947, provided a nurturing influence during their childhood, introducing the boys to Dylan’s records and pursuing her own career as a teacher and writer who authored several books.
Tragically, Ruth passed away in 2020 at the age of 73, leaving a void in the family that David and Mark have mourned separately.
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Career
After briefly studying in Bristol and working odd jobs, Knopfler reunited with Mark in London in the mid-1970s, leading to the formation of Dire Straits in a modest flat they shared with Illsley.
The band’s explosive debut in 1978 catapulted them from pub performances to international arenas, but the relentless touring and internal tensions, exacerbated by excessive drinking and late nights, prompted David’s exit in 1980, just as Communiqué hit the charts.
He later reflected on the period as “stifling,” a far cry from the intimate songwriting he craved.
Undeterred, Knopfler launched his solo path with the 1983 album Release, establishing independent labels to maintain creative control.
Over the next four decades, he has released 13 studio albums, including critically praised works like The Giver (1996), Small Mercies (1997), and Heartlands (2017), often collaborating with guitarist Harry Bogdanovs for acoustic live recordings that emphasize lyrical depth over commercial polish.
Knopfler has toured steadily, from small venues to European festivals, and ventured into poetry with publications like a “Bluffer’s Guide” to songwriting.
Accolades
The band’s 1978 debut album, on which he played rhythm guitar and contributed to tracks like “Sultans of Swing,” garnered Grammy nominations in 1980 for Best New Artist and Best Rock Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group.
While he had already left by the time Dire Straits clinched the 1986 Grammy for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal for “Money for Nothing”, a win shared among the core members.
In his independent phase, accolades have been more niche: enthusiastic endorsements from tastemakers like BBC’s Bob Harris for his live prowess, and a devoted cult following that celebrates albums like Made in Germany (2012) for their raw intimacy.
Absent major solo awards, Knopfler’s true honor lies in his enduring output, 18 albums strong by 2021, and the quiet reverence from peers who admire his steadfast pursuit of artistic integrity over fame’s glare.