Newcastle United will face Wolverhampton Wanderers today in a global exclusive re-release of Mark Knopfler’s legendary song Going Home (Local Hero) at St James’ Park.
A re-release of Mark Knopfler’s legendary Going Home (Local Hero) song will have its world-exclusive debut at St James’ Park before of Newcastle United’s match against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday afternoon.
Local Hero has been re-recorded by Mark Knopfler’s Guitar Heroes, which includes fellow Geordies Sting and Sam Fender, among many other music luminaries. Eric Clapton, Roger Daltrey, Brian May, Bruce Springsteen, Ringo Starr, Pete Townshend, and Ronnie Wood also appear on the new version of the song, which will benefit the Teenage Cancer Trust and Teen Cancer America.
It will be played for the first time when Newcastle take to the pitch prior of their Premier League match against Wolves. Knopfler and guests will be there to discuss the iconic song.
The song made its debut in the 1983 film Local Hero and has become Newcastle’s walk-out anthem since the early 1990s.
Discussing the new version of the song, Knopfler told the club website: “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 lengthen this piece to accommodate the number 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] stepped in and played brilliantly, one delicious lick after another.
“Then Jeff Beck’s contribution arrived, and it was spellbinding.” I believe we’ve had an embarrassment of riches. The whole thing was a highlight.”
Dan Burn, a Newcastle defender and previous season ticket holder, said: “Local has been a song that I’ve heard to my entire life and means so lot to me on so many levels, whether as a fan or a player.
“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.”
Following its world-exclusive premiere, fans will be able to purchase the new song, with net sales benefiting juvenile cancer charities.
