It's a difficult thing to etch out your own style among all of the talented musicians in the rock world world, but Dire Straits guitarist Mark Knopfler, who turns 63 on Aug. 12, was able to do so quite well.

Forming the band in 1977 -- after stints as a journalist and teacher -- Knopfler's influential laid back style of playing and writing made the Dire Straits stand out among the era's punk and prog-heavy crowd.

Although it seems the Straits are no more, the guitarist is making more music than ever, and is about to team up with none other than Bob Dylan for a 2012 tour

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