Dire Straits and Eric Clapton is a match made in heaven on “Money for Nothing”

At the 1990 Knebworth Festival, Dire Straits were joined by Eric Clapton for a standout performance of “Money for Nothing.” Clapton had appeared with the group a number of times before, but this collaboration was among their notable shared performances. With 120,000 people attending, the band sustained the formidable groove that characterized its live playing throughout the set.

Mark Knopfler leads the first section of the song, opening with its familiar riff and then playing the initial solo. Clapton steps forward shortly before the four-minute mark for his own forceful guitar showcase. His pink suit contrasts with Knopfler’s burnt-orange outfit and matching custom-built Pensa Suhr MK, an instrument that became one of the Dire Straits frontman’s best-known guitars.

That exchange also distinguishes the Knebworth arrangement from the full studio cut. Despite lasting more than eight minutes, the recorded version has no guitar solo. In concert, Knopfler adds a fiery but carefully shaped solo devised for the live performance. Clapton’s presence may even have encouraged a measure of friendly competition between the two guitarists.

Clapton did not travel to Knebworth merely to join “Money for Nothing.” He also performed on “Think I Love You Too Much,” where he supplied another memorable solo. The footage of both songs captures Dire Straits operating as a powerful concert band, with each musician contributing to a groove that kept the festival crowd dancing throughout.

Watch the full performance on page two