The Times view on Knopfler's guitar gang: Rock of Ages

Mark Knopfler’s guitar heroes — how many can you name?

Jimi Hendrix would be 81 now. Imagine what the man proclaimed as the greatest guitarist of all time might have achieved in the 53 years since his untimely death in a London flat from an overdose of barbiturates. Hendrix is one of the 27 Club, that roll call of doomed youth, rock stars destined to die at that cursed age. Rolling Stones founder Brian Jones was a fellow member, like Hendrix a talent forever preserved in aspic. Yet, despite their reputation for hellraising, and the implied contractual term with fame to check out early, most great guitarists make it to old age. Now, a millennium’s worth of talent is being mobilised in a noble cause.

Mark Knopfler, singer and lead guitarist of Dire Straits, has