Mark Knopfler Recruits Insane All-Star Lineup of Guitarists for Charity Song

Mark Knopfler has done something truly extraordinary. The guitarist has recruited a star-studded lineup of fellow guitarists for a charity single benefitting Teenage Cancer Trust and Teen Cancer America.

The charity single is a new recording of "Going Home." The track is an instrumental featured on the 1983 score for the film Local Hero, which also served as the film's theme. Knopfler wrote the entire score of the film, which is considered his debut solo album and debut soundtrack album.

So, who's on this track? Knopfler's website has the full list of contributors, and it's simply incredible. The contributors include the following (in alphabetical order):

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.

Fans can pre-order the track via MarkKnopflersGuitarHeroes.com. A preview of the track is below.

The re-recording of "Going Home" is billed as being by Mark Knopfler's Guitar Heroes. Among those heroes was Jeff Beck, who died suddenly in January 2023 at age 78 from bacterial meningitis. According to a press release, Beck's contribution to the track is also the guitar icon's final recording.

Knopfler said, in part, of Beck, " ... Jeff Beck’s contribution arrived and that was spellbinding. I think what we’ve had is an embarrassment of riches, really."

Producer Guy Fletcher added of Beck's contribution, "It was absolutely meant to be, and what he did with it, it just brings you to tears."

Live Aid, the day the music changed the world, took place 36 years ago today (July 13.)

The legendary benefit show emanated from Wembley Stadium in London and JFK Stadium in Philadelphia. It helped raise more than $125 million for African famine relief efforts and was broadcast live in 110 countries and was watched by over a billion people worldwide.

In honor of its anniversary, take a look at these ten must-watch performances.

There were a number of collaborations that took part during Live Aid, but the one with the most chemistry was clearly when Jagger and Turner performed "State Of Shock/It’s Only Rock ‘n Roll (But I Like It)."

Still two years away from their major breakthrough with The Joshua Tree, U2 showed the world their performance power with "Sunday Bloody Sunday" and "Bad" and in the process made the enormity of Wembley Stadium feel like an intimate setting.

Bowie delivered with a tight four-song set that included "TVC 15," "Rebel Rebel," "Modern Love" and "Heroes."

The Cars took to the stage at JFK Stadium with a killer set that included "You Might Think," "Drive," "Just What I Needed" and "Heartbeat City."

Dire Straits

Two months prior to Live Aid, Dire Straits released their fifth studio album, Brothers In Arms. One month prior to Live Aid, the band launched the album's second single, "Money for Nothing" featuring Sting. So, understandably, when Sting joined the band for "Money for Nothing" at Live aid, the crowd went wild.

The most metal moment to happen during Live Aid was when Judas Priest crushed it at JFK Stadium. Kudos to them for wearing all that leather during the ungodly heat.

By the time Live Aid took place, Madonna was one of the biggest, if not the biggest pop star in the world thanks to the release of Like a Virgin, which had been out for nine months.

Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers made the most of their time on stage with a packed four-song set of "American Girl," "The Waiting," "Rebels" and Refugee.

McCartney was joined on stage by Alison Moyet, David Bowie, Pete Townshend and Bob Geldof to perform the Beatles classic "Let It Be."

Last but definitely not least is Queen, who ruled the day with what would become one of the best live performances in music history. And 36 years later, few have touched the magic Queen created on stage at Live Aid.