Mark Knopfler unveils new Local Hero theme in aid of the Teenage Cancer Trust
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Rock star Mark Knopfler will unveil a new version of his Local Hero theme in front of 50,000 Newcastle United fans today (Saturday) and said “I want to be nervous but I’m too excited” writes PA News' Tom Wilkinson.
The former Dire Straits front man joined more than 50 renowned guitarists, including Bruce Springsteen, Ronnie Wood and Eric Clapton, on a reworked version of the song in aid of the Teenager Cancer Trust.
Having met young cancer patients at the Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle, Knopfler said he felt “overwhelmed” by the care the staff provided and the positivity of the people there.
He told the PA news agency: “I was just talking to a young girl there who was told she wouldn’t walk again, and she was just standing there, talking to me.
“She couldn’t walk when she came into the hospital and she walked out of it.
“This is just the best thing. I can’t think of anything better than that.”
Newcastle United players run out to the Going Home: Theme Of The Local Hero cheered on by 50,000 fans for every home game.
The film itself, now over 40 years old is synonymous with the Banffshire coastal village of Pennan and also had scenes filmed in a former pub in Banff.
Knopfler will be on the pitch for Saturday’s Premier League game against Wolverhampton Wanderers, when the new version will be aired.
Knopfler said: “I want to be nervous but I am too excited.
“It’s pretty emotional.”
Knopfler said putting the new version of the track together was not simply a question of ringing up the likes of Slash, Sting or Ronnie Wood to ask if they would support the charity record.
He said it was largely down to long-time studio collaborator Guy Fletcher who pieced it together from the different artists around the world.
Knopfler said the part played by Jeff Beck, the last piece he did before he died, was “magical”.
