Mark Freuder Knopfler OBE (/ˈnɒpflər/ NOP-flər; born 12 August 1949) is a British songwriter, guitarist, and record producer. He was the lead guitarist, singer, and songwriter for the rock band Dire Straits, which he co-founded with his younger brother, David Knopfler, in 1977. He was born in Glasgow, Scotland and raised near Newcastle upon Tyne, England.