Dire Straits guitarist/singer Mark Knopfler has assembled a supergroup of We Are the World-style guitarists for a charity single whose proceeds will benefit the Teenage Cancer Trust and Teen Cancer America. The roster of over 60 six-string slingers includes Bruce Springsteen, Slash, Eric Clapton, Ronnie Wood, Pete Townshend, Sting, Queen's Brian May, Joan Jett and Pink Floyd's David Gilmour.
Knoplfer's meditation re-recording 1983 instrumental“Going Home: Theme of the Local Hero,” also features Ringo Starr, Chic's Nile Rodgers and Jeff Beck, in the guitar legend's last recording before his death in January 2023. The song from the group entitled Mark Knopfler's Guitar Heroes was created by ex-Dire Straits keyboardist Guy Fletcher and also features work from Sheryl Crow, Joan Armatrading, Journey's Jonathan Cain, Tom Morello, Peter Frampton, Buddy Guy, ex-Squeeze member Joe Bonamassa, Paul Carrack, Keith Urban, Steve Cropper, Steve Vai, Vince. Gill, Sam Fender, Sonny Landreth, Andy Taylor of Duran Duran, Joe Walsh of the Eagles, Albert Lee, Alex Lifeson of Rush, Steve Lukather, Dave Mason, Rick Nielsen of Cheap Trick, Orianthi, Susan Tedeschi and Dereck Trucks and many more.
In a statement, Knopfler said, “I really had no idea it would be like this. It struck Guy and I very early on that we needed to expand this piece somehow, to accommodate the number of people involved. Before I knew where I was, Pete Townshend had walked into my studio armed with a guitar and an amp. And that first power chord of Pete's… man, I'm telling you — we were in that area, and it was just fantastic. And it continued from there. Eric [Clapton] came in, played great, one delicious lick after another. Then Jeff Beck's contribution arrived and that was mesmerizing. I think what we've had is an embarrassment of riches, really. The whole thing was top notch.”
Most of the artists on the song play guitar, except for Starr and son Zack Starkey, who plays drums, and Sting, who plays bass, while Who singer Roger Daltrey plays harmonica. “Local Hero” is slated to release on March 15.
The original song, Knopfler's first solo single, appeared in the 1983 Scottish dramedy starring Peter Riegert, Peter Capaldi and Burt Lancaster. the soundtrack was written and produced by Knopfler. “Hero” has become a staple of Knopfler's live show and is also played before every Newcastle United FC football match.
Check out a short preview of the song (and see the full roster of participants) below.
from our partners at https://www.billboard.com/music/rock/mark-knopfler-guitarists-going-home-charity-single-bruce-springsteen-slash-townshend-1235602787/
