Mark Knopfler: Celtic Bard, Guitar Mystic, Melody Maker, Superstar (Volume 1, Dire Straits)

«Probably the most intelligent book on music I've ever read!» (Marc Loison, blues radio broadcaster and music columnist in France)

An in-depth, 500-page tribute to Mark Knopfler and Dire Straits; written by an award-winning musician and book author. Volume 2 (covering Knopfler’s solo career) has now also been published.

(traduction française)   (traducción al español)   (deutsche Original-Ausgabe)   (traduzione italiana)

What can readers expect: → Download table of contents & preface 

Available worldwide as a paperback, hardback, e-book, and also in a special US edition (digest size), not all editions might be available at every retailer.

Paperback ISBN-13: 978-3-384-55244-0 
Hardback ISBN-13: 978-3-384-55245-7
E-Book ISBN-13: 978-3-384-55246-4
Paperback (US edition) ISBN-13: 978-3-384-61390-5
Hardback (US edition) ISBN-13: 978-3-384-61391-2

To order the book from one of the retailers below, click on the logo and you will be taken directly to the book (there are many more worldwide retailers). Amazon is the market leader, but we encourage readers to also support other retailers or independent local bookstores whenever possible.

Swiss blues musician and author Richard Koechli takes readers deep into the musical universe of Mark Knopfler and Dire Straits. This first volume of his multi-part exploration traces Knopfler’s artistic journey from his early years to the rise and evolution of Dire Straits, placing the music within its wider cultural and historical context. Across more than 500 pages, Koechli combines musical insight with a deep sensitivity to songwriting, guitar craftsmanship and artistic development, exploring the stories behind the songs, the atmosphere of the recordings and the influences that shaped one of the most distinctive sounds in modern popular music. Rather than offering a conventional rock biography, the book approaches Mark Knopfler’s work as a living musical landscape — shaped by blues, roots music, folk and the changing spirit of the 1960s, 70s, 80s and 90s. Written in a personal, passionate and occasionally light-footed style, the volume combines careful research with the perspective of a lifelong musician and devoted listener. Rich in anecdotes, background stories and multimedia listening references, it invites readers to rediscover the music through a deeper and more attentive form of listening. A second volume exploring Mark Knopfler’s solo career is now available. A compelling read for Mark Knopfler & Dire Straits fans, guitar enthusiasts, audiophiles and anyone fascinated by musical storytelling, music history and the art of deep listening.

→ Download book cover (print)  → cover (web)

The book is accompanied by the double album ‘Laidback Universe, Remembering J.J. & Mark’ (→stream it), which includes the 28 best songs and instrumentals from Koechli's career, as a tribute to the two grandmasters of laid-back music, J.J. Cale and Mark Knopfler. Book buyers will receive a link to download the album for free.

Richard Koechli about the book: "Why such a thick tome, with more than 500 pages? The reason is that I'm interested in the whole picture: the companions, the predecessors, the philosophy behind the art, a thousand details from different areas. Music history is an incredibly exciting puzzle with thrilling anecdotes and background stories. In addition to the protagonist, the book features countless famous and not-so-famous artists, and also talks about producers, recording studios, legendary guitars and equipment of all kinds. A trip through Anglo-American music history that has something for everyone – not only (but of course more than enough) for Mark Knopfler fans."

Richard Koechli: The Swiss guitarist, singer-songwriter and author is a proven expert in blues, folk and country music. His book 'Masters of Blues Guitar' received the German Music Edition Prize, his music has won the Swiss Blues Award, the Swiss Film Music Award and the PRIX PLUS Culture Prize, among others. The 63-year-old lives in France and Switzerland; to date, he has released 15 music albums and 10 music books. Find out more about Richard Koechli: Exclusive 7-page interview with Richard Koechli in the legendary British magazine BLUES IN THE SOUTH, two great features in UK's leading blues magazine BLUES IN BRITAIN.

By the way: in the same series (‘Laidback’ music history), Richard Koechli's successful book about J.J. Cale (336 pages) has now also been published in bookstores (it was released in 2020 exclusively in music stores as a giant CD booklet) – available now in paperback (ISBN 978-3-384-55942-5), hardcover (ISBN 978-3-384-55943-2) and E-book (ISBN 978-3-384-55944-9). Find out more about this J.J. Cale-book