Dire Straits were an English rock band from London. Formed in June 1977, the group originally comprised the Knopfler brothers Mark (lead vocals, lead guitar) and David (rhythm guitar, backing vocals), John Illsley (bass, backing vocals), and Pick Withers (drums). At the time of their first breakup in September 1988, the band comprised Mark Knopfler, Illsley, Jack Sonni (rhythm guitar, backing vocals), Terry Williams (drums), Alan Clark (keyboards), and Guy Fletcher (keyboards). Mark Knopfler, Illsley, Clark and Fletcher reformed as Dire Straits in 1990, undertaking one more studio album and world tour with backup musicians before their second breakup in 1995.
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 .[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] Also during the recording sessions, Williams was temporarily replaced by Omar Hakim, although both are credited with contributing to the album.[9] 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]
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]
| 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 | Brothers in Arms (1985) |
| Image | Name | Years active | Instruments | Release contributions | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barry Beckett | 1978 | 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] | ||
| Mel Collins | 1982–1983 | saxophone | |||
| Tommy Mandel | keyboards | Alchemy: Dire Straits Live (1984) | |||
| Joop de Korte | percussion | ||||
| Michael Brecker[22] | 1984–1985 | saxophone | Brothers in Arms (1985) | ||
| Malcolm Duncan | 1984–1985 | ||||
| Omar Hakim | 1984–1985 | drums | |||
| Randy Brecker | brass | ||||
| Neil Jason | bass[23] | ||||
| Tony Levin | Chapman Stick[24] | ||||
| Dave Plews | trumpet | ||||
| vocals | |||||
| 1984–1985 | percussion[25] | ||||
| Chris White | all Dire Straits releases from On Every Street (1991) to Encores (1993) | ||||
| Phil Palmer | |||||
| Paul Franklin | pedal steel guitar | ||||
| Danny Cummings | |||||
| 1990–1991 | On Every Street (1991)[26] | ||||
| Manu Katché[27] | |||||
| 1990–1991 | |||||
| George Martin | 1990–1991 | ||||
| Chris Whitten | 1991–1992 | drums |
| Period | Members | Releases | |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 1977 – July 1980 |
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| July – October 1980 |
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| October 1980 – October 1982 |
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| October 1982 – October 1984 |
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| October 1984 – April 1986 |
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| April 1986 – June 1990 Band on hiatus with one-off show on 11 June 1988 |
| none | |
| June 1990 – 1995 |
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