Mark Knopfler Unites Guitar Heroes Supergroup for Charity Single

Image credit: Sir Peter Blake

Mark Knopfler has announced a new recording of “Going Home (Theme from Local Hero)” with his Guitar Heroes, an unprecedented supergroup of the world’s biggest rockstars and instrumental virtuosos. Featuring over 60 collaborators, including icons like Eric Clapton, David Gilmour, John McLaughlin, Bruce Springsteen, Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks, proceeds from the recording will go to benefit Teenage Cancer Trust and Roger Daltry and Pete Townshend’s Teen Cancer America. This unique song is set to release on March 15. 

“Going Home (Theme from Local Hero)” arrived in 1983 as Knopfler’s debut solo single. Since then, the anthemic, adventurous instrumental track has become a live staple for the musician and Dire Straits alike, reaching such heights of popularity that it has become the official entrance theme for Newcastle United, Knopfler’s hometown football club. This latest rendition is distinguished not only by the sheer depth and prestige of its artist lineup but also by the fact that it is the final record to feature legendary guitarist Jeff Beck, who passed on Jan. 10 of last year.

Mark Knopfler’s Guitar Heroes’ “Going Home (Theme from Local Hero)” is available to pre-order now on Apple Music, as well as on vinyl, CD and digital editions here. Read on for a complete list of the project’s contributors.

Mark Knopfler’s Guitar Heroes:

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.