SILVER HEART TRIBUTE
 
Artist Mark Knopfler
Venue Civic Centre, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK
Date 19th October 2006
Source Audience
Format 1DVD+R
Tracks
  1. Mark enters the hall
  2. Mark video tribute
  3. John Illsley tribute
  4. Alan Shearer tribute
  5. Emmylou Harris tribute
  6. Presentation of the Silver Heart
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Additional comments DVD-Video containing part of the Silver Heart tribute to Mark Knopfler. The Variety Club have presented Mark Knopfler with their highest accolade, the Silver Heart, at a special Tribute Lunch held at the Civic Centre in Newcastle-upon-Tyne on Thursday 19th October 2006. Around 700 people packed the Banqueting Hall to hear Jools Holland MC the Tribute with contributions from, among others, John Illsley, fellow Geordies Jimmy Nail, Tim Healey, Alan Shearer, and legendary Shadows guitarist, Bruce Welch. Filmed tributes were also featured from various contributors including Eric Clapton, Sting, Emmylou Harris and Lord David Puttnam. Surrounded by friends and well-wishers, Mark spoke eloquently about his early life, of growing up in Newcastle and his deep affection for Northumberland. On this DVD, only part of the event can be seen (see chapters). The intro of the DVD features the Local hero music by Mark Knopfler and Guy Fletcher, taken from the Luncheon performance at the Civic Centre at the end of the afternoon. Some of the footage was taken from the large screen in the hall. The Silver Heart was presented to Mark by the region chairman Peter Johnson. A wonderful tribute to the region's very own local hero. Picture and sound quality is good enough to enjoy the event. Total playing time is about 20 minutes.

 
Newspaper article - 20th October 2006 "City welcomes local hero"
By David Whetstone, The Journal

Rock legend Mark Knopfler yesterday received a local hero's welcome in his home city. The musician, best known as a founder member of Dire Straits, was honoured by the Variety Club of Great Britain's northern region with a lunchtime tribute at Newcastle Civic Centre. The event was compered by Jools Holland and among hundreds of guests were many familiar faces including Alan Shearer, Peter Beardsley, Bruce Welch, Tim Healy, Jimmy Nail and Dire Straits colleague John Illsley. Arguably none of the guests was more important than the musician's mother, Louisa Mary, who was also celebrating her 85th birthday, and Knopfler's Uncle Kingsley, the man who first taught him to play guitar. Alan Shearer, who ran out on to the St James' Park turf many time to the strains of Knopfler's Local hero, captured the mood, saying: "I borrowed the name local hero for 10 years but Mark is the real local hero". Bruce Welch, Tyneside-born founder member of The Shadows, said: "I left here 48 years ago and it's changed a lot but what hasn't changed is the quality of music coming out of this area. Mark is a giant of our industry". And the man himself? "It's fantastic for me to listen to that music every time Newcastle run out", said Knopfler.