|
Dire Straits
| |
|
| |
|
Miami Vice Performer
|
|
|
Members
|
Mark Knopfler
John Illsley Alan Clark Guy Fletcher Hal Lindes Terry Williams Jack Sonni Pick Withers |
|
Active
|
1977-1995
|
Dire Straits Was a British rock band, whose songs "Brothers in Arms" (in "Out Where the Buses Don't Run") and "Ride Across the River" (in "Knock, Knock... Who's There?) appeared in the TV show Miami Vice.
Career[]
Dire Straits was formed in 1977 by vocalist/guitarist Mark Knopfler, who was the main songwriter and driving force behind the band. The other original members included Knopfler's brother David (keyboards), John Illsley (bass), and Pick Withers (drums). They recorded their self-titled debut album in 1978 which included their first Top 10 single, "Sultans of Swing", and they opened on tour for Talking Heads during this time which brought them worldwide attention. They released three more albums between 1979-1984, Communique, Making Movies (during this album David Knopfler left for a solo career was replaced by Alan Clark on keyboards and guitarist Hal Lindes, the album featured the song "Tunnel of Love"), and Love Over Gold (featuring "Industrial Disease"). After Love Over Gold Pick Withers left the group and was replaced by Terry Williams on drums. In 1983 a four song EP, ExtendeddancEPlaywas released, featuring their song "Twisted By The Pool". In 1984 Guy Fletcher joined the band as a second keyboardist and Hal Lindes left the band.
In 1985 Dire Straits released what would become their signature (and biggest selling) album, Brothers in Arms. The single "Money For Nothing" (featuring The Police's Sting on backing vocals as well as co-writer) received massive MTV airplay (and 11 VMA nominations, including two wins), reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, and won a Grammy. Other songs on the LP include "So Far Away" (#17), "Walk of Life" (#9), "Brothers in Arms", and "Ride Across the River". The album was one of the first all-digital CDs released, as well as extending existing tracks to longer than the vinyl/cassette formats. Their following tour included stops for Live Aid (where Sting joined the band for "Money For Nothing"), and over 100 other cities. The group took a hiatus starting in 1987 after the grueling tour, reforming for the Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Concert on 11 June 1988 in which they were the headline act and were joined by Eric Clapton. Afterwards, Terry Williams left the band. In 1991 Dire Straits reformed once more, comprising Knopfler, Illsley, Clark and Fletcher and recorded their final studio album, On Every Street, with the help of sidesmen including percussionist Danny Cummings and American drummer Jeff Porcaro from Toto. Released in September 1991, the album did not sell well and received poor reviews, and they went on another grueling tour until 1992 with a greatly reduced audience. In 1995 Knopfler dissolved Dire Straits (after two more live album releases) and began a solo career which he continues to this day. In 2018 the band was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.