Are the members of dire straits still alive

List of Dire Straits band members

Two lineups of Dire Straits performing in (top) and (bottom).

Dire Straits was an English rock band from London. Formed in June , 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 , 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 , undertaking one more studio album and world tour with backup musicians before their second and final breakup in

History

–

Dire Straits was formed in June 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 and , respectively.[2] David Knopfler left the group during the recording of their third album Making Movies in July ,[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 , 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 ) 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 , 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 to April , 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 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 , 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 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 ) - 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 /early Dire Straits officially reformed, with Knopfler, Illsley, Clark and Fletcher recording their final studio album On Every Street (released in September ) 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.

Dire straits born Healey Sport. The two formed a duo called "The Duolian String Pickers", which performed in local folk and acoustic blues venues. Blyth, Northumberland , England. Knopfler had recently become a member of the exclusive gentlemen's club for men of letters.

Following another hiatus, Dire Straits' final album Live at the BBC (released in ) was a contractual release featuring live recordings from to , with the original line-up of Mark and David Knopfler, Illsley and Pick Withers (Clark and Lindes also featured on one track). In , Mark Knopfler disbanded Dire Straits for the second time, choosing to focus on his solo career.[17]

Members

Official

Touring and session musicians

Timeline

Lineups

References

  1. ^Adelson, David (14 September ).

    "Dire Straits: Number One and Still Climbing"(Scan). Cash Box. Vol.&#;49, no.&#; New York City, New York: Cash Box Publishing. p.&#; Retrieved 3 February

  2. ^ abcdErlewine, Stephen Thomas.

    "Dire Straits: Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved 3 February

  3. ^"Dire Straits: Biography". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on May 24, Retrieved 3 February
  4. ^Rees, Paul (17 April ). "Sultans Of Swing: The Untold Story Of Dire Straits".

  5. Dire straits sultans of swing
  6. Dire straits born to die
  7. Dire straits brothers in arms

    8. Classic Rock. TeamRock. Retrieved 3 February

  8. ^LaPointe, Kirk (25 October ). "International Dateline: Canada"(Scan). Cash Box. Vol.&#;42, no.&#; New York City, New York: Cash Box Publishing. p.&#; Retrieved 3 February
  9. ^Lauro, Nick (16 July ). "Pick Withers – A Road Well Travelled – A Drumdoctor Interview".

    The Drumdoctor. Retrieved 3 February

  10. ^"Alchemy: Dire Straits Live - Dire Straits: Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 3 February
  11. ^ abBuskin, Richard. "Classic Tracks: Dire Straits 'Money For Nothing'".

    Dire straits born to run Knopfler's other contributions include writing and playing guitar on John Anderson 's single " When It Comes to You " from his album Seminole Wind. This was to be Dire Straits' final world tour; it was not as well received as the previous Brothers in Arms tour, and by this time Mark Knopfler had had enough of such huge operations. Archived from the original on 17 January The Air That I Breathe released in

    Sound on Sound. Retrieved 8 July

  12. ^Adelson, David (14 September ). "Dire Straits' Rise To The Top"(PDF). Cash Box. Vol.&#;49, no.&#; New York City, New York: Cash Box Publishing. p.&#; Retrieved 8 July
  13. ^Adelson, David (14 September ). "Dire Straits' Rise to the Top"(Scan).

    Cash Box. Vol.&#;49, no.&#; New York City, New York: Cash Box Publishing. p.&#; Retrieved 3 February

  14. ^Freeman, Kim (2 November ). "Dire Straits: Radio City Music Hall, New York"(Scan).

    Dire straits born to love you UK Top 10s It leaned heavily towards American roots music — folk , Blues and country music. Archived from the original on 11 January View this post on Instagram.

    Billboard. Vol.&#;97, no.&#; New York City, New York: Billboard Publications. p.&#; Retrieved 3 February

  15. ^Fanelli, Damian (30 March ). "Eric Clapton and Mark Knopfler Perform "Cocaine" and "Sultans of Swing" in ". Guitar World. Retrieved 8 July
  16. ^Rivadavia, Eduardo (15 September ).

    "The Day Dire Straits Broke Up for the First Time".

    Dire straits sultans of swing: David is also a musician and was a member of Dire Straits with Mark until he left the band in , while Ruth was a teacher and a writer who has published several books. Retrieved 12 April Knopfler performing in Here, we explore the life and career of Mark Knopfler, from his humble beginnings in Scotland and England to his global fame and recognition as a guitar hero and a master songwriter.

    Ultimate Classic Rock. Loudwire. Retrieved 3 February

  17. ^Swanson, Dave (7 October ). "5 Reasons Why Dire Straits Should Be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame". Ultimate Classic Rock. Loudwire. Retrieved 3 February
  18. ^The Best British Rock Concert of All Time: Live at Knebworth (Media notes).

    Eagle Vision, Universal Music Group. Retrieved 3 February

  19. ^Ruhlmann, William. "On Every Street - Dire Straits: Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 3 February
  20. ^Spivey, Julian (7 April ). "5 things you didn't know about Dire Straits". AXS. Retrieved 3 February
  21. ^Communiqué (liner notes).

    Vertigo Records.

  22. ^Making Movies (liner notes).

    Dire straits tour The Courier of Dundee. Official Music Video Chart. JUNO Awards. Retrieved 27 April

    Vertigo Records.

  23. ^"Sid McGinnis". AllMusic. Retrieved 5 December
  24. ^ abLove over Gold (liner notes). Vertigo Records.
  25. ^Brothers in Arms (liner notes).

  26. Dire straits meaning
  27. Dire straits - sultans of swing
  28. Dire straits vocalist
  29. Dire straits guitarist

    30. Dire Straits. Vertigo. : CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)

  30. ^"Archived copy". . Archived from the original on 27 May Retrieved 17 January : CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  31. ^Illsley, John (). My Life in Dire Straits. Random House. ISBN&#;.
  32. ^Illsley, John ().

    My Life in Dire Straits. Random House. ISBN&#;.

  33. ^Musician Issues (). Amordian Press. p.&#;
  34. ^On Every Street (liner notes). Vertigo Records.
  35. ^"Discographie, les contributions | Manu Katché Website". .

    Retrieved

External links