“Fingerpicking came from not having an amplifier. After dad forked out for the guitar, I didn’t have the nerve to ask him for one”: Mark Knopfler says the lack of a guitar amp growing up helped him develop his now-iconic fingerpicking style

Mark Knopfler says he developed his now-iconic fingerpicking playing style because he “didn’t have the nerve” to ask his father to buy him an amp.

The Dire Straits guitarist released his new album, One Deep River, in April – a record on which his fingerpicking reigns supreme. Now, as a guest on BBC’s Desert Island Discs radio show, he’s discussed how tight finances growing up – and the lack of a cheeky streak – helped shape his voice as a guitarist.

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