10 Best Classic Rock Guitarists Of The '80s
9. Mark Knopfler - Dire Straits
When talking about the ‘80s, being normal wasn’t a really good calling card. In the era of MTV, you had to be a little bit more than just a band without a gimmick playing your instruments. A group like Dire Straits should have been dead in the water in that kind of environment, but Mark Knopfler plowed ahead with some of the smoothest fretwork of the decade.
It seems a bit strange calling Knopfler a guitar god given his unique sound. Though he has made some badass riffs like “Money For Nothing,” his other tunes are much more laid back, with an emphasis on groove rather than complex runs. It might not seem like much when listening to it, but it becomes much more intriguing once you realize what he’s doing.
Throughout the entirety of Dire Straits’ in the ‘80s, Knopfler set himself apart by not playing with a pick. Whether it’s “Sultans of Swing” or “Walk of Life,” everything you’re hearing is the sound of Knopfler’s hands delicately assaulting his instrument.
While the tunes may sound breezy, they’re actually powerhouses in disguise once you attempt to play them without any plectrum protection. The guitar community was all about shred in the ‘80s, but Mark Knopfler brought the concept down to its most minimalist form.