Forty-one years after it was first released in 1983, Local Hero - which is synonymous with matchdays on Tyneside - has now been re-recorded by Mark Knopfler's Guitar Heroes, featuring Geordie royalty Sting and Sam Fender along with a stellar line-up of over 60 musicians including Eric Clapton, Roger Daltrey, Brian May, Bruce Springsteen, Ringo Starr, Pete Townshend and Ronnie Wood.
Re-recorded to raise funds in aid of the Teenage Cancer Trust and Teen Cancer America, the world exclusive of the Local Hero multi-collaboration will be heard for the first time as the Magpies take to the pitch against Wolves at St. James' Park on Saturday, 2nd March, while Knopfler and guests will be pitchside to discuss the recording of the famous tune.
Commenting ahead of the re-release, Knopfler said: "What I really want to do, more than anything else, is just to thank each and every one for this sterling response. I really had no idea that it was going to be like this. It hit Guy (Fletcher) 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 point."
Newcastle United defender and lifelong Magpies fan Dan Burn added: "Local Hero has been a song that I've listened to all my life and means so much to me on so many levels, whether as a fan or player.
"When I was young my dad used to play Local Hero at breakfast and it instantly made me think of St. James' Park and the excitement of going to games. Whenever I hear the song it has so many memories, from seeing huge wins and European nights under Sir Bobby Robson to now, being able to walk out to the iconic anthem is a 'pinch me' moment every time. I know what this song means to people in the region and everybody will be buzzing to hear the version."
The film Local Hero was released in 1983 and was Knopfler's first credit as a film composer, earning him a BAFTA nomination. Local Hero has become the anthem of Newcastle United, welcoming the team onto the St. James' Park pitch since the early 1990s.
The new recording predominantly took place at British Grove Studios in West London.
Fans can purchase the Local Hero track both in physical format, which will be available on CD, 12" with etched B-side and deluxe CD+BluRay, including sleeve notes by Paul Sexton, and digital formats which include a Dolby Atmos mix.
Net proceeds from the track will be donated to the Teenage Cancer Trust and the US equivalent, Teen Cancer America. For more information on the charity's work and how to donate, please visit www.teenagecancertrust.org.
