Dire Straits were a British rock band formed in London 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, backing vocals). 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 and final breakup in 1995.
History 1977–1988 Dire Straits was formed in June 1977 by Mark and David Knopfler, John Illsley and Pick Withers. The band released their first two studio albums, Dire Straits and Communiqué, in 1978 and 1979, respectively. On the 1979 Communiqué Tour, Joop de Korte began working with the band as a roadie and off-stage percussionist. David Knopfler left the group during the recording of their third album Making Movies in July 1980, following an argument with Mark which prompted him to return to the UK and start a solo career. 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. 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.
During the Love over Gold Tour, Dire Straits added keyboardist Tommy Mandel and King Crimson saxophonist Mel Collins to their touring lineup, both of whom were featured on the live release Alchemy: Dire Straits Live. In late 1984, Guy Fletcher was added to the band's lineup as a second keyboardist. Lindes left shortly afterwards, during the recording of Brothers in Arms and his place was taken by Jack Sonni. Also during the recording sessions, Williams was temporarily replaced by Omar Hakim, although both are credited with contributing to the album. 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.
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. This also concluded Jack Sonni’s and Terry Williams’ time as Dire Straits members, and was the last show with roadie/touring percussionist Joop de Korte.
On 15 September 1988, Knopfler announced the disbanding of Dire Straits. 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."
1990–1995 On 30 June 1990 the four remaining members of Dire Straits - Mark Knopfler, John Illsley, Alan Clark and Guy Fletcher - 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.
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. 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.
Members Official ImageNameYears activeInstrumentsRelease contributionsMark Knopflerall Dire Straits releasesJohn IllsleyDavid "Pick" Withers1977–1982David Knopfler1977–1980Alan ClarkHal Lindes1980–1984Terry WilliamsdrumsGuy FletcherJack Sonni1984–1988
Touring and session musicians ImageNameYears activeInstrumentsRelease contributionsBarry Beckett1978 keyboardsCommuniqué (1979)Joop de Korte 1979–1988 percussion Roy Bittan1980 keyboardsMaking Movies (1980)Sid McGinnisguitarsEd Walsh1982 synthesiser programmingLove over Gold (1982)Mike Mainieri Mel Collins1982–1983 saxophoneTommy Mandel1982–1983 keyboardsAlchemy: Dire Straits Live (1984)Michael Brecker 1984–1985 saxophone Brothers in Arms (1985)Malcolm Duncan1984–1985 Omar Hakim1984–1985 drumsRandy BreckerbrassNeil JasonbassTony Levinbass, Chapman StickDave PlewstrumpetSting vocalsJimmy Maelen 1984–1985 percussionChris WhitePhil PalmerPaul Franklinpedal steel guitarDanny CummingsVince Gill 1990–1991 On Every Street (1991)Manu KatchéJeff Porcaro 1990–1991 George Martin1990–1991 Chris Whitten1991–1992 drums
Timelines
Touring members timeline
Lineups PeriodMembersReleasesJune 1977 – July 1980Mark Knopfler – lead vocals, lead guitar David Knopfler – rhythm guitar, backing vocals John Illsley – bass, backing vocals Pick Withers – drumsDire Straits (1978) Communiqué (1979) Live at the BBC (1995) The Honky Tonk Demos (2015) Live at the Rainbow, 1979 (2023)July – October 1980Mark Knopfler – lead vocals, guitars John Illsley – bass, backing vocals Pick Withers – drums, backing vocalsMaking Movies (1980)October 1980 – October 1982Mark Knopfler – lead vocals, lead guitar John Illsley – bass, backing vocals Pick Withers – drums Hal Lindes – rhythm guitar, backing vocals Alan Clark – keyboards, pianoLove over Gold (1982) ExtendedancEPlay (1983) Live at the BBC (1995) October 1982 – December 1984Mark Knopfler – lead vocals, lead guitar John Illsley – bass, backing vocals Hal Lindes – rhythm guitar, backing vocals Alan Clark – keyboards, piano Terry Williams – drumsExtendedancEPlay (1983) Alchemy: Dire Straits Live (1984)December 1984 – April 1986Band on hiatus April 1986 – June 1990 with one-off show on 11 June 1988Mark Knopfler – lead vocals, lead guitar John Illsley – bass, backing vocals Alan Clark – keyboards, piano Terry Williams – drums Jack Sonni – rhythm guitar, backing vocals (absent from 1988 show for family reasons) Guy Fletcher – keyboards, backing vocalsBrothers in Arms (1985) San Antonio Live in 85 (2025)June 1990 – 1995Mark Knopfler – lead vocals, lead guitar John Illsley – bass, backing vocals Alan Clark – keyboards, piano Guy Fletcher – keyboards, backing vocalsLive at Knebworth (1990) On Every Street (1991) On The Night (1993) Encores (1993)
References
External links Mark Knopfler official website