Dire Straits were an English rock band from London. Formed in June 1977, the group originally included lead vocalist and lead guitarist Mark Knopfler, rhythm guitarist and backing vocalist David Knopfler (his younger brother), bassist and backing vocalist John Illsley, and drummer Pick Withers. At the time of their initial breakup in September 1988, the band featured Mark Knopfler, Illsley, rhythm guitarist and backing vocalist Jack Sonni, drummer Terry Williams and keyboardists Alan Clark and Guy Fletcher. Knopfler, Illsley, Clark and Fletcher reformed Dire Straits in 1990, touring sporadically with backup musicians before their second breakup in 1995.
History
1977–1988
Dire Straits were formed in June 1977 by Mark and David Knopfler, John Illsley and Pick Withers. [1] [2] The band released their first two studio albums, Dire Straits and Communiqué, in 1978 and 1979, respectively. [2] David Knopfler left the group during the recording of their third album Making Movies in July 1980, [3] following an argument with Mark which prompted him to return to the UK and start a solo career. [4] After the album, which featured Roy Bittan on keyboards, was released in October 1980, Hal Lindes was announced as Knopfler's replacement, while keyboardist Alan Clark was also added. [5] Withers remained until shortly after the completion of the band's fourth album Love over Gold (released in September 1982) at which point he left and was replaced by former Rockpile drummer Terry Williams. [2] [6]
During the Love over Gold Tour, Dire Straits added keyboardist Tommy Mandel, percussionist Joop de Korte and King Crimson saxophonist Mel Collins to their touring lineup, all of whom were featured on the live release Alchemy: Dire Straits Live. [7] In late 1984, Guy Fletcher was added to the band's lineup as a second keyboardist. [2] Lindes left shortly afterwards, during the recording of Brothers in Arms and his place was taken by Jack Sonni. [8] [9] Also during the recording sessions, Williams was temporarily replaced by Omar Hakim, although both are credited with contributing to the album. [8] Williams was back in the band for the album's promotional concert tour which lasted from April 1985 to April 1986, the lineup of which also featured saxophonist and flautist Chris White. [10] [11]
After a break from touring, Dire Straits regrouped for the Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute concert staged on 11 June 1988 at Wembley Stadium, at which they were the headline act. As Sonni was unable to play the show, Eric Clapton took his place. [12] On 15 September 1988, Knopfler announced the disbanding of Dire Straits. [13] Speaking in a Rolling Stone interview about the breakup, the band's frontman stated that "There's not an accent then on the music, there's an accent on popularity. I needed a rest." [14]
1990–1995
On 30 June 1990 Dire Straits - Mark Knopfler, John Illsley, Alan Clark and Guy Fletcher (Jack Sonni and Terry Williams having left the band after the Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute concert in 1988) - reunited for a performance at Knebworth Festival. They were joined by Eric Clapton and his band – guitarist Phil Palmer, bassist Nathan East, drummer Steve Ferrone, keyboardist Greg Phillinganes, and backing vocalists Katie Kissoon and Tessa Niles. [15]
In late 1990/early 1991 Dire Straits officially reformed, with Knopfler, Illsley, Clark and Fletcher recording their final studio album On Every Street (released in September 1991) with a host of session musicians, including Toto drummer Jeff Porcaro. [16] The album's concert tour featured On Every Street contributors Palmer, Chris White, Paul Franklin (pedal steel guitar) and Danny Cummings (percussion), and drummer Chris Whitten, all of whom featured on the live releases On the Night and Encores.
Following another hiatus, Dire Straits' final album Live at the BBC (released in 1995) was a contractual release featuring live recordings from 1978 to 1981, with the original line-up of Mark and David Knopfler, Illsley and Pick Withers (Clark and Lindes also featured on one track). In 1995, Mark Knopfler disbanded Dire Straits for the second time, choosing to focus on his solo career. [17]
Members
Official
| Image | Name | Years active | Instruments | Release contributions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mark Knopfler |
|
|
all Dire Straits releases | |
| John Illsley |
| |||
| David "Pick" Withers | 1977–1982 |
|
| |
| David Knopfler | 1977–1980 |
|
| |
| Alan Clark |
|
|
all Dire Straits releases from Love over Gold (1982) to Live at the BBC (1995) | |
| Hal Lindes | 1980–1984 |
|
| |
| Terry Williams |
|
drums |
| |
| Guy Fletcher |
|
|
all Dire Straits releases from Brothers In Arms (1985) to Encores (1993) | |
| Jack Sonni | 1984–1988 (died 2023) |
|
Brothers in Arms (1985) |
Touring
| Image | Name | Years active | Instruments | Release contributions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mel Collins | 1982–1983 (also played sessions) | saxophone |
| |
| Tommy Mandel |
|
keyboards | Alchemy: Dire Straits Live (1984) | |
| Joop de Korte | percussion | |||
| Chris White |
|
|
all Dire Straits releases from On Every Street (1991) to Encores (1993) | |
| Phil Palmer |
|
|
| |
| Paul Franklin | pedal steel guitar | |||
| Danny Cummings |
| |||
| Chris Whitten | 1991–1992 | drums |
|
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Session
| Image | Name | Years active | Instruments | Release contributions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barry Beckett | 1978 (died 2009) | keyboards | Communiqué (1979) [18] | |
| Roy Bittan | 1980 | Making Movies (1980) [19] | ||
| Sid McGinnis [20] | guitars | |||
| Ed Walsh | 1982 | synthesizer programming | Love over Gold (1982) [21] | |
| Mike Mainieri |
|
|
| |
| Michael Brecker [23] | 1984–1985 (died 2007) | saxophone | Brothers in Arms (1985) | |
| Malcolm Duncan | 1984–1985 (died 2019) | |||
| Omar Hakim | 1984–1985 | drums | ||
| Randy Brecker | brass | |||
| Neil Jason | bass [24] | |||
| Tony Levin | Chapman Stick [25] | |||
| Dave Plews | trumpet | |||
| Sting | vocals | |||
| Jimmy Maelen | 1984–1985 (died 1988) | percussion [26] | ||
| Vince Gill | 1990–1991 |
|
On Every Street (1991) [27] | |
| Manu Katché [28] |
| |||
| Jeff Porcaro | 1990–1991 (died 1992) | |||
| George Martin | 1990–1991 (died 2016) |
|
.jpg)
_-_Sid_McGinnis.jpg)
.jpg)
Timeline
Lineups
| Period | Members | Releases |
|---|---|---|
| June 1977 – July 1980 |
|
|
| July – October 1980 |
|
|
| October 1980 – October 1982 |
|
|
| October 1982 – October 1984 |
|
|
| October 1984 – April 1986 |
|
|
| April 1986 – June 1990 Band on hiatus with one-off show on 11 June 1988 |
|
none |
| June 1990 – 1995 |
|
|
References
- ^ Adelson, David (14 September 1985). "Dire Straits: Number One and Still Climbing" (Scan). Cash Box. Vol. 49, no. 13. New York City, New York: Cash Box Publishing. p. 13. Retrieved 3 February 2018.
- ^ a b c d Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Dire Straits: Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved 3 February 2018.
- ^ "Dire Straits: Biography". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on May 24, 2012. Retrieved 3 February 2017.
- ^ Rees, Paul (17 April 2015). "Sultans Of Swing: The Untold Story Of Dire Straits". Classic Rock. TeamRock. Retrieved 3 February 2018.
- ^ LaPointe, Kirk (25 October 1980). "International Dateline: Canada" (Scan). Cash Box. Vol. 42, no. 24. New York City, New York: Cash Box Publishing. p. 38. Retrieved 3 February 2018.
- ^ Lauro, Nick (16 July 2012). "Pick Withers – A Road Well Travelled – A Drumdoctor Interview". The Drumdoctor. Retrieved 3 February 2018.
- ^ "Alchemy: Dire Straits Live - Dire Straits: Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 3 February 2017.
- ^ a b Buskin, Richard. "Classic Tracks: Dire Straits 'Money For Nothing'". Sound on Sound. Retrieved 8 July 2019.
- ^ Adelson, David (14 September 1985). "Dire Straits' Rise To The Top" (PDF). Cash Box. Vol. 49, no. 13. New York City, New York: Cash Box Publishing. p. 36. Retrieved 8 July 2019.
- ^ Adelson, David (14 September 1985). "Dire Straits' Rise to the Top" (Scan). Cash Box. Vol. 49, no. 13. New York City, New York: Cash Box Publishing. p. 36. Retrieved 3 February 2018.
- ^ Freeman, Kim (2 November 1985). "Dire Straits: Radio City Music Hall, New York" (Scan). Billboard. Vol. 97, no. 44. New York City, New York: Billboard Publications. p. 49. Retrieved 3 February 2018.
- ^ Fanelli, Damian (30 March 2016). "Eric Clapton and Mark Knopfler Perform "Cocaine" and "Sultans of Swing" in 1988". Guitar World. Retrieved 8 July 2019.
- ^ Rivadavia, Eduardo (15 September 2015). "The Day Dire Straits Broke Up for the First Time". Ultimate Classic Rock. Loudwire. Retrieved 3 February 2018.
- ^ Swanson, Dave (7 October 2017). "5 Reasons Why Dire Straits Should Be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame". Ultimate Classic Rock. Loudwire. Retrieved 3 February 2018.
- ^ The Best British Rock Concert of All Time: Live at Knebworth (Media notes). Eagle Vision, Universal Music Group. 2015. Retrieved 3 February 2018.
- ^ Ruhlmann, William. "On Every Street - Dire Straits: Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 3 February 2018.
- ^ Spivey, Julian (7 April 2015). "5 things you didn't know about Dire Straits". AXS. Retrieved 3 February 2018.
- ^ Communiqué (liner notes). Vertigo Records. 1979. 6360 170.
- ^ Making Movies (liner notes). Vertigo Records. 1980. 6359 034.
- ^ "Sid McGinnis". AllMusic. Retrieved 5 December 2012.
- ^ a b Love over Gold (liner notes). Vertigo Records. 1982. 6359 109.
-
^ Brothers in Arms (liner notes).
Dire Straits.
Vertigo. 1985. 824 499-2.
{{ cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) ( link) -
^
"Archived copy". www.knopfler.net. Archived from
the original on 27 May 2008. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
{{ cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title ( link) -
^ Illsley, John (2021).
My Life in Dire Straits. Random House.
ISBN
978-1-473587-94-6.
We brought in a number of other top session musicians (...), including (...) Neil Jason, who helped out on the song 'One World'. This needed a funk bass sound, which I don't do but Neil does very well.
-
^ Illsley, John (2021).
My Life in Dire Straits. Random House.
ISBN
978-1-473587-94-6.
We brought in a number of other top session musicians (...), including bassist Tony Levin, who played on 'Why Worry' (...). Tony played a bass instrument called a Chapman Stick (...).
- ^ Musician Issues 87-92 (1986). Amordian Press. 1986. p. 82.
- ^ On Every Street (liner notes). Vertigo Records. 1991. 510 160-2.
- ^ "Discographie, les contributions | Manu Katché Website". www.manu-katche.com. Retrieved 2017-03-04.
External links
| Studio albums | |
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| Live albums | |
| Compilations | |
| EPs | |
| Singles |
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| Tours | |
| Related articles | |
