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Mark Knopfler Recruits Insane All-Star Lineup of Guitarists for Charity Song

Author Erica Banas // Rock Music Reporter

Mark Knopfler has done something truly extraordinary. The guitarist has recruited a star-studded lineup of fellow guitarists for a charity single benefitting Teenage Cancer Trust and Teen Cancer America.

The charity single is a new recording of “Going Home.” The track is an instrumental featured on the 1983 score for the film Local Hero, which also served as the film’s theme. Knopfler wrote the entire score of the film, which is considered his debut solo album and debut soundtrack album.

So, who’s on this track? Knopfler’s website has the full list of contributors, and it’s simply incredible. The contributors include the following (in alphabetical order):

Joan Armatrading, Jeff Beck, Richard Bennett, Joe Bonamassa, Joe Brown, James Burton, Jonathan Cain, Paul Carrack, Eric Clapton, Ry Cooder, Jim Cox, Steve Cropper, Sheryl Crow, Danny Cummings, Roger Daltrey, Duane Eddy, Sam Fender, Guy Fletcher, Peter Frampton, Audley Freed, Vince Gill, David Gilmour, Buddy Guy, Keiji Haino, Tony Iommi, Joan Jett, John Jorgenson, Mark Knopfler, Sonny Landreth, Albert Lee, Greg Leisz, Alex Lifeson, Steve Lukather, Phil Manzanera, Dave Mason, Hank Marvin, Brian May, Robbie McIntosh, John McLaughlin, Tom Morello, Rick Nielsen, Orianthi, Brad Paisley, Nile Rodgers, Mike Rutherford, Joe Satriani, John Sebastian, Connor Selby, Slash, Bruce Springsteen, Ringo Starr and Zak Starkey, Sting, Andy Taylor, Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks, Ian Thomas, Pete Townshend, Keith Urban, Steve Vai, Waddy Wachtel, Joe Louis Walker, Joe Walsh, Ronnie Wood, Glenn Worf, Zucchero.

Fans can pre-order the track via MarkKnopflersGuitarHeroes.com. A preview of the track is below.

A Farewell to Jeff Beck

The re-recording of “Going Home” is billed as being by Mark Knopfler’s Guitar Heroes. Among those heroes was Jeff Beck, who died suddenly in January 2023 at age 78 from bacterial meningitis. According to a press release, Beck’s contribution to the track is also the guitar icon’s final recording.

Knopfler said, in part, of Beck, ” … Jeff Beck’s contribution arrived and that was spellbinding. I think what we’ve had is an embarrassment of riches, really.”

Producer Guy Fletcher added of Beck’s contribution, “It was absolutely meant to be, and what he did with it, it just brings you to tears.”

 

Live Aid: 10 Must-Watch Performances

  • Mick Jagger and Tina Turner

    There were a number of collaborations that took part during Live Aid, but the one with the most chemistry was clearly when Jagger and Turner performed “State Of Shock/It’s Only Rock ‘n Roll (But I Like It).”

  • U2

    Still two years away from their major breakthrough with The Joshua Tree, U2 showed the world their performance power with “Sunday Bloody Sunday” and “Bad” and in the process made the enormity of Wembley Stadium feel like an intimate setting.

  • David Bowie

    Bowie delivered with a tight four-song set that included “TVC 15,” “Rebel Rebel,” “Modern Love” and “Heroes.”

  • The Cars

    The Cars took to the stage at JFK Stadium with a killer set that included “You Might Think,” “Drive,” “Just What I Needed” and “Heartbeat City.”

  • Dire Straits

    Two months prior to Live Aid, Dire Straits released their fifth studio album, Brothers In Arms. One month prior to Live Aid, the band launched the album’s second single, “Money for Nothing” featuring Sting. So, understandably, when Sting joined the band for “Money for Nothing” at Live aid, the crowd went wild.

  • Judas Priest

    The most metal moment to happen during Live Aid was when Judas Priest crushed it at JFK Stadium. Kudos to them for wearing all that leather during the ungodly heat.

  • Madonna

    By the time Live Aid took place, Madonna was one of the biggest, if not the biggest pop star in the world thanks to the release of Like a Virgin, which had been out for nine months.

  • Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers

    Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers made the most of their time on stage with a packed four-song set of “American Girl,” “The Waiting,” “Rebels” and Refugee.

  • Paul McCartney

    McCartney was joined on stage by Alison Moyet, David Bowie, Pete Townshend and Bob Geldof to perform the Beatles classic “Let It Be.”

  • Queen

    Last but definitely not least is Queen, who ruled the day with what would become one of the best live performances in music history. And decades years later, few have touched the magic Queen created on stage at Live Aid.

Erica Banas is a news blogger who's been covering the rock/classic rock world since 2014. The coolest event she's ever covered in person was the 2021 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony. (Sir Paul McCartney inducting Foo Fighters? C'mon now!) She's also well-versed in etiquette and extraordinarily nice. #TransRightsAreHumanRights

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Author Erica Banas // Rock Music Reporter
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