The Chronicle (South Tyneside and Durham)
Local hero Mark pitches in with charity single
LEGENDARY musician Mark Knopfler appeared on the St James’ Park pitch ahead of the Newcastle vs Wolves game as his charity re-release of Local Hero played.
The iconic tune has long been used to herald the moment when Newcastle’s players emerge onto the pitch.
It was first written by the famed Blyth-raised musician for the soundtrack to the movie Going Home and is properly known as Going Home (Theme of the Local Hero).
The new version of the song features 60 huge musical names including Mark’s fellow local legends Sting and Sam Fender, while from further afield, Eric Clapton, Bruce Springsteen and Sheryl Crow are all among those involved.
Proceeds from the track will go towards the Teenage Cancer Trust and Teenage Cancer America charities.
Mark was presented with a Newcastle United number 24 shirt, and appeared on the pitch in the lead-up to Saturday’s Premier League match.
And then the new recording of the spine-tingling tune was played to a raucous reception from a crowd of more than 50,000.
Speaking ahead of the first playing of the track, he said “I want to be nervous but I’m too excited.”
Mark had previously visited the Teenage Cancer Trust ward at the Royal Victoria Infirmary where he met Lauren Taylor, 18.
Lauren has had brain and spinal tumours and is still receiving treatment - she said Mark was a “lovely person”.
Talking about his experiences in the hospital, the musician said: “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.”
The new track will be available to the public from March 15.