Bruce Springsteen, Ringo Starr and Sting: Mark Knopfler assembles music's greatest supergroup yet for new char

Mark Knopfler has assembled what may be music's greatest supergroup yet in the fight against cancer.

The Dire Straits star, 74, 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). 

Among those featured on the track include Sting on bass, Ringo Starr on drums and legends like Brian May, Cheryl Crow and Joan Armatrading strumming along.

Others in the all-star line-up include Nile Rodgers,  Pete Townshend, Sam Fender and The Who's Roger Daltrey. 

Mark's long-time collaborator Guy Fletcher put the track together with contributions sent in from around the world.

Mark Knopfler has assembled what may be music's greatest supergroup yet in the fight against cancer

Pop artist Sir Peter Blake was enlisted to recreate the iconic The Beatles' iconic Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band 1967 album cover featuring all 54 contributors.

Mark, who was the lead guitarist, singer and songwriter for Dire Straits, expressed his gratitude to all the musicians who got involved.

He said: 'What I really want to do, more than anything else, is just to thank each and every one for this sterling response.

'I really had no idea that it was going to be like this. It hit Guy [Fletcher] and I quite early on that we had to extend this piece somehow, to take in the number of people who joined in.

'Before I knew where I was, Pete Townshend had come into my studio armed with a guitar and an amp. And that first Pete power chord...man, I tell you. 

'We were in that territory, and it was just fantastic. And it went on from there. Eric [Clapton] came in, played great, just one tasty lick after another. 

'Then Jeff Beck's contribution arrived and that was spellbinding. I think what we've had is an embarrassment of riches, really. The whole thing was a high point.'

While there have been many supergroups in the past, Guitar Heroes features the most stellar line-up of guitarists. 

The Dire Straits star, 74, 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 among those featured on the track (pictured in February 2024) 

Beatles legend Ringo Starr is involved in the supergroup (pictured in June 2023) 

Cheryl Crow has also contributed her talents to the song (pictured in 2006) 

Proceeds of the single will go towards the TeenageCancer Trust and its American equivalent Teen Cancer America (Sting pictured in December 2023) 

Proceeds of the single will go towards the TeenageCancer Trust and its American equivalent Teen Cancer America. 

The project has been further supported by leading guitar makers, who have donated a total of 8 guitars to be signed by the contributing artists.

In addition - an Ionic Original Disc of the master recording has been privately sold by in advance of the single's release, enabling that company to make a six-figure donation to the charity.