Mark Knopfler has put together perhaps the greatest supergroup in music history in the fight against cancer.
The 74-year-old Dire Straits star has formed Guitar Heroes – a group of 54 guitarists who have recorded a new version of Mark's Going Home (Theme of the Local Hero).
Contributors to the track include Sting on bass, Ringo Starr on drums and legends like Brian May, Cheryl Crow and Joan Armatrading playing along.
Other members of the all-star cast include Nile Rodgers, Pete Townshend, Sam Fender and The Who's Roger Daltrey.
Mark's long-time collaborator Guy Fletcher put together the track with contributions from around the world.
Mark Knopfler has put together perhaps the greatest supergroup in music history in the fight against cancer
Pop artist Sir Peter Blake was commissioned to recreate the Beatles' iconic 1967 Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band album cover featuring all 54 contributors.
Mark, who was lead guitarist, singer and songwriter for Dire Straits, thanked all the musicians who took part.
He said: “What I want to do most of all is to thank each and every person for this great response.”
“I really had no idea it would be like this.” It hit Guy [Fletcher] and I knew early on that we needed to expand this piece somehow to accommodate the number of people who were participating.
“Before I knew where I was, Pete Townshend came into my studio armed with a guitar and an amp. And that first power chord from Pete… man, I'm telling you.
“We were in this area and it was just fantastic.” And it went from there. Eric [Clapton] came in, played great, just one tasty lick after another.
“Then Jeff Beck's piece came along and that was fascinating. “I think what we've experienced is really an embarrassment of riches. “The whole thing was a highlight.”
While there have been many supergroups in the past, Guitar Heroes features the most outstanding cast of guitarists.
The 74-year-old Dire Straits star has formed Guitar Heroes – a group of 54 guitarists who have recorded a new version of Mark's Going Home (Theme of the Local Hero).
Bruce Springsteen is one of the protagonists of the track (pictured in February 2024)
Beatles legend Ringo Starr is involved in the supergroup (pictured in June 2023)
Cheryl Crow also contributed her talents to the song (pictured in 2006).
Proceeds from the single will benefit the TeenageCancer Trust and its American counterpart, Teen Cancer America (Sting pictured in December 2023)
Proceeds from the single will benefit the TeenageCancer Trust and its American counterpart, Teen Cancer America.
The project was also supported by leading luthiers who donated a total of 8 guitars to be signed by the contributing artists.
Additionally, an original Ionic CD of the master recording was sold privately prior to the single's release, allowing the company to make a six-figure donation to the charity.