List of Dire Straits band members explained

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.

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 .[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]

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

ImageNameYears activeInstrumentsRelease contributions
Mark Knopflerall Dire Straits releases
John Illsley
David "Pick" Withers1977–1982
David Knopfler1977–1980
Alan Clarkall Dire Straits releases from Love over Gold (1982) to Live at the BBC (1995)
Hal Lindes1980–1984
Terry Williamsdrums
Guy Fletcherall Dire Straits releases from Brothers In Arms (1985) to Encores (1993)
Jack Sonni1984–1988 Brothers in Arms (1985)

Touring and session musicians

ImageNameYears activeInstrumentsRelease contributions
Barry Beckett1978 keyboardsCommuniqué (1979)[18]
Roy Bittan1980 Making Movies (1980)[19]
Sid McGinnis[20] guitars
Ed Walsh1982 synthesizer programmingLove over Gold (1982)[21]
Mel Collins1982–1983 saxophone
Tommy MandelkeyboardsAlchemy: Dire Straits Live (1984)
Joop de Kortepercussion
Michael Brecker[22] 1984–1985 saxophone Brothers in Arms (1985)
Malcolm Duncan1984–1985
Omar Hakim1984–1985 drums
Randy Breckerbrass
Neil Jasonbass[23]
Tony LevinChapman Stick[24]
Dave Plewstrumpet
vocals
1984–1985 percussion[25]
Chris Whiteall Dire Straits releases from On Every Street (1991) to Encores (1993)
Phil Palmer
Paul Franklinpedal steel guitar
Danny Cummings
1990–1991 On Every Street (1991)[26]
Manu Katché[27]
1990–1991
George Martin1990–1991
Chris Whitten1991–1992 drums

Lineups

PeriodMembersReleases
June 1977 – July 1980
July – October 1980
  • Mark Knopfler – lead vocals, guitars
  • John Illsley – bass, backing vocals
  • Pick Withers – drums, percussion, backing vocals
October 1980 – October 1982
  • Mark Knopfler – lead vocals, lead guitar
  • John Illsley – bass, backing vocals
  • Pick Withers – drums, percussion
  • Alan Clark – keyboards, piano
  • Hal Lindes – rhythm guitar, backing vocals
October 1982 – October 1984
  • Mark Knopfler – lead vocals, lead guitar
  • John Illsley – bass, backing vocals
  • Alan Clark – keyboards, piano
  • Hal Lindes – rhythm guitar, backing vocals
  • Terry Williams – drums
  • ExtendedancEPlay (1983)
  • (1984)
October 1984 – April 1986
  • Mark Knopfler – lead vocals, guitars
  • John Illsley – bass, backing vocals
  • Alan Clark – keyboards, piano
  • Terry Williams – drums
  • Guy Fletcher – keyboards, backing vocals
  • Jack Sonni – rhythm guitar, backing vocals
April 1986 – June 1990 Band on hiatus with one-off show on 11 June 1988
  • Mark Knopfler – lead vocals, guitars
  • John Illsley – bass, backing vocals
  • Alan Clark – keyboards, piano
  • Terry Williams – drums
  • Guy Fletcher – keyboards, backing vocals
none
June 1990 – 1995
  • Mark Knopfler – lead vocals, lead guitar
  • John Illsley – bass, backing vocals
  • Alan Clark – keyboards, piano
  • Guy Fletcher – keyboards, backing vocals

External links

Notes and References

  1. Adelson . David . Dire Straits: Number One and Still Climbing . Scan . . New York City, New York . Cash Box Publishing . 14 September 1985 . 49 . 13 . 13 . 3 February 2018 .
  2. Web site: Dire Straits: Biography & History . Erlewine . Stephen Thomas . Stephen Thomas Erlewine . . 3 February 2018 .
  3. Dire Straits: Biography . https://web.archive.org/web/20120524051952/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/artists/dire-straits/biography . dead . May 24, 2012 . . 3 February 2017 .
  4. Web site: Sultans Of Swing: The Untold Story Of Dire Straits . Rees . Paul . . TeamRock . 17 April 2015 . 3 February 2018 .
  5. LaPointe . Kirk . Kirk LaPointe . International Dateline: Canada . Scan . . New York City, New York . Cash Box Publishing . 25 October 1980 . 42 . 24 . 38 . 3 February 2018 .
  6. Web site: Pick Withers – A Road Well Travelled – A Drumdoctor Interview . Lauro . Nick . The Drumdoctor . 16 July 2012 . 3 February 2018 .
  7. Web site: Alchemy: Dire Straits Live - Dire Straits: Credits . . 3 February 2017 .
  8. Adelson . David . Dire Straits' Rise To The Top . . 49 . 13 . 36 . 14 September 1985 . New York City, New York . Cash Box Publishing . 8 July 2019 .
  9. Web site: Classic Tracks: Dire Straits 'Money For Nothing' . Buskin . Richard . . 8 July 2019 .
  10. Adelson . David . Dire Straits' Rise to the Top . Scan . . New York City, New York . Cash Box Publishing . 14 September 1985 . 49 . 13 . 36 . 3 February 2018 .
  11. Freeman . Kim . Dire Straits: Radio City Music Hall, New York . Scan . . New York City, New York . Billboard Publications . 2 November 1985 . 97 . 44 . 49 . 3 February 2018 .
  12. Web site: Eric Clapton and Mark Knopfler Perform "Cocaine" and "Sultans of Swing" in 1988 . Fanelli . Damian . . 30 March 2016 . 8 July 2019 .
  13. Web site: The Day Dire Straits Broke Up for the First Time . Rivadavia . Eduardo . Ultimate Classic Rock . . 15 September 2015 . 3 February 2018 .
  14. Web site: 5 Reasons Why Dire Straits Should Be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame . Swanson . Dave . Ultimate Classic Rock . . 7 October 2017 . 3 February 2018 .
  15. The Best British Rock Concert of All Time: Live at Knebworth . 2015 . 3 February 2018 . .
  16. Web site: On Every Street - Dire Straits: Songs, Reviews, Credits . Ruhlmann . William . . 3 February 2018 .
  17. Web site: 5 things you didn't know about Dire Straits . Spivey . Julian . . 7 April 2015 . 3 February 2018 .
  18. 6360 170 . . 1979 . . liner notes.
  19. 6359 034 . . 1980 . liner notes . Vertigo Records.
  20. Web site: Sid McGinnis . 5 December 2012 . AllMusic.
  21. 6359 109 . . 1982 . liner notes . Vertigo Records.
  22. Web site: Archived copy . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20080527141355/http://www.knopfler.net/interview48.html . 27 May 2008 . 17 January 2022 . www.knopfler.net.
  23. Book: Illsley, John . My Life in Dire Straits . Random House . 2021 . 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..
  24. Book: Illsley, John . My Life in Dire Straits . Random House . 2021 . 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 (...)..
  25. Book: Musician Issues 87-92 (1986) . 1986 . Amordian Press . 82 . en.
  26. 510 160-2 . . 1991 . liner notes . Vertigo Records.
  27. Web site: Discographie, les contributions Manu Katché Website . 2017-03-04 . www.manu-katche.com.