Mark Knopfler, Eric Clapton, Sting & Phil Collins are untouchable on “Money for Nothing”
The 1997 Music for Montserrat concert, hosted at the Royal Albert Hall in London, stands as a monumental event in rock music history, defined by a legendary collaboration on the Dire Straits hit “Money for Nothing.” This unique performance brought together an unparalleled collection of musical icons, including Mark Knopfler, Eric Clapton, Sting, and Phil Collins, all sharing the stage for a singular, high-energy rendition. The entire concert was meticulously organized by the renowned Beatles producer George Martin, with the primary objective of raising essential funds to assist the residents of Montserrat. The Caribbean territory had been suffering through a series of devastating volcanic eruptions for three years, and the concert served as a vital lifeline for those affected by the natural disaster.
Mark Knopfler, who had been performing as a solo artist since Dire Straits became inactive in 1995, led the performance of his band’s most famous track. The guitar legend began the song with a short, atmospheric wah-pedal improvisation before transitioning into the iconic, driving riff that has been replicated by countless guitarists in stores and studios across the globe. As the band surged into the main groove, Phil Collins provided the rhythmic foundation from behind the drum kit. While Collins is globally recognized for his successful solo vocal career, his performance at the Royal Albert Hall served as a reminder of his status as one of the most talented drummers in popular music history. He drove the song forward with a lively, aggressive groove and incorporated inventive drum fills, even humorously playing off the song’s lyrics when Knopfler sang the line about “banging on the drums.”
The song itself shares a profound historical connection with the island of Montserrat. It was originally recorded during the 1984 and 1985 sessions for the Brothers in Arms album at George Martin’s own studio located on the island. Although the band later attempted to re-record the track at the Power Station studio in New York City, the album’s producer, Neil Dorfsman, found that he could not successfully replicate the specific, gritty tone of the original guitar riff. As a result, the recordings captured during the sessions in Montserrat were the ones eventually featured on the final album release.
Watch the full performance on page two
