On 15 March 2024, Mark Knopfler released a new, special recording of his anthemic ‘Going Home (Theme From Local Hero)’, to raise funds for Teenage Cancer Trust and its American equivalent Teen Cancer America.
This extraordinary artwork, created exclusively for this track by the legendary Sir Peter Blake (renowned for his iconic work with The Beatles, The Who, Band Aid, Paul Weller, and more), is now available as a stunning canvas set.
Offered here is a pair of framed canvases (1 US, 1 UK edition), each measuring 120cm x 120cm. Produced in an exceptionally limited edition of just 7 worldwide, these works are crafted on Fredrix 350gsm canvas using Ultrachrome inks in giclée print, ensuring museum-quality longevity and brilliance.
Each piece is personally signed by Sir Peter Blake, making this not only a striking artwork but also an invaluable piece of rock music history.
Performed by Mark Knopfler’s Guitar Heroes, produced by his longtime collaborator Guy Fletcher (who has edited the contributions into a 9 minute piece), the track features an unprecedented line-up of some of the greatest guitarists in history. ‘Legendary’ does not begin to cover it - David Gilmour to Ronnie Wood, Slash to Eric Clapton, Sting to Joan Armatrading, Bruce Springsteen to Pete Townshend, Nile Rodgers to Joan Jett, Brian May to Tony Iommi, Sam Fender and many more jaw dropping names.
And, in a great honour, the track opens with Jeff Beck’s final recording.
Roger Daltrey, Teenage Cancer Trust’s Honorary Patron and co-founder of Teen Cancer America (with Pete Townshend), added harmonica, and Beatles icon Ringo Starr is on drums along with his son Zak Starkey, their two drum tracks switching from one to the other, revealing an unmistakable family style. Sting completes an extraordinary rhythm section on bass.
“What I really want to do, more than anything else, is just to thank each and every one for this sterling response,” says Mark Knopfler, “I really had no idea that it was going to be like this. It hit Guy and I quite early on that we had to extend this piece somehow, to take in the number of people who joined in.
“Before I knew where I was, Pete Townshend had come into my studio armed with a guitar and an amp. And that first Pete power chord...man, I tell you. We were in that territory, and it was just fantastic. And it went on from there. Eric [Clapton] came in, played great, just one tasty lick after another. Then Jeff Beck’s contribution arrived and that was spellbinding. I think what we’ve had is an embarrassment of riches, really. The whole thing was a high."
Kindly Donated by Teenage Cancer Trust
