Biografia

Fender Stratocaster

Gruff, deep voice and whispering style of singing similar to Bob Dylan.

Clean, bright guitar tone

Plays the electric guitar with fingers unlike most guitarists that prefer a pick

His headband

Is left-handed, but plays guitar right-handed (claims that this contributes to his style.)

Has a dinosaur named after him (Masiakasaurus knopfleri) - The researchers who discovered bones from six specimens in Madagascar reported that they found the fossils whilst listening to Dire Straits tapes.

He wrote and recorded the backing track for the song "Private Dancer" for the 1982 Dire Straits album 'Love Over Gold'. Before recording the vocals, he realized that the lyric should be sung by a woman, and the track was shelved. Two years later, the track was re-recorded by Tina Turner, backed by most of Dire Straits, but with Jeff Beck on guitar; the song was the title track on Turner's 1984 comeback album, and one of the biggest hits of her career.

The distinctive "fuzz" sound of his guitar in Dire Straits' 1985 hit "Money For Nothing" was a "happy accident" discovered while trying to replicate the sound of ZZ Top. The sound was produced completely through microphone setup (including one pointed straight down at the floor), and involved no additional processing or effects.

With his band Dire Straits won Grammys in the following categories: "Money for Nothing" (Best Rock Performance By a Duo or Group with Vocal) (1985); "Brothers in Arms" (Best Music Video, Short Form) (1986).