When Newcastle United face Wolves this afternoon at St James’ Park, there will be a world exclusive.
When Newcastle United face Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League this afternoon, St James’ Park will host the world premiere of a re-release of Mark Knopfler’s legendary Going Home (Local Hero).
Knopfler’s Guitar Heroes, which includes Geordie royalty Sting and Sam Fender, as well as an incredible line-up of over 60 musicians including Eric Clapton, Roger Daltrey, Brian May, Bruce Springsteen, Ringo Starr, Pete Townshend, and Ronnie Wood, have re-recorded ‘Local Hero’ forty-one years after it was first released in 1983.
Synonymous with matchdays at Newcastle United, the re-recording will raise funds for Teenage Cancer Trust and Teen Cancer America. And Geordies will be able to hear the multi-collaboration for the first time when United take to the pitch ahead of the clash against Wolves. Mark Knopfler and guests will be pitchside to discuss the recording.
A charity auction took place at St James’ Park on Friday evening with Newcastle legend Alan Shearer among those present. Reacting on X, Shearer said: “What an honour that was to sit and ask the legend @MarkKnopfler about his incredible career and the new version of Going Home (Local Hero) that’s out on 15th March and all proceeds going to the Teenage Cancer Trust.”
Knopfler commented ahead of the re-release: “What I really want to do, more than anything else, is just thank each and every one for this outstanding reception. I had no idea it would be like this. Guy (Fletcher) and I realized early on that we needed to extend this piece to accommodate the quantity of people who participated.
“Before I realized where I was, Pete Townshend had entered my studio with a guitar and an amplifier. And that first Pete power chord—man, I tell ya. We were in that territory, and it was simply great. And it continued from there. Eric (Clapton) came in and played great, with just one nice 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 point.”
The song made its debut in the 1983 film Local Hero and has become Newcastle’s walk-out anthem since the early 1990s.
Fans can buy the ‘Local Hero’ track in physical format (CD, 12″ with etched b-side, and deluxe CD+BluRay with sleeve notes by Paul Sexton), as well as digital formats with a Dolby Atmos mix.
The track’s net proceeds will benefit the Teenage Cancer Trust and its US equivalent, Teen Cancer America.xv
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