Dire Straits Overview
- Formation: Dire Straits was formed in London, England in 1977 by Mark Knopfler (lead vocals and guitar), his brother David Knopfler (guitar and keyboards), John Illsley (bass guitar), and Pick Withers (drums).
- Band Members:
- Mark Knopfler: Lead vocals, guitar, songwriter
- David Knopfler: Guitar, keyboards (left in 1980)
- John Illsley: Bass guitar
- Pick Withers: Drums (left in 1982)
- Other notable members:
- Hal Lindes: Guitar (joined in 1980)
- Alan Clark: Keyboards (joined in 1980)
- Terry Williams: Drums (joined in 1982)
The Guitar Story
- Mark Knopfler’s Guitar: Mark Knopfler did indeed build a guitar from a wooden plank, but it’s not entirely clear if it was a bedpost. The guitar was a Telecaster-style body made from a piece of wood from a local carpenter’s workshop.
Mark Knopfler’s Style
- Influences: Mark Knopfler’s playing style was influenced by various artists, including:
- Country and blues musicians: Chet Atkins, B.B. King, and Eric Clapton
- Rock and folk musicians: Bob Dylan, J.J. Cale, and The Beatles
- Learning to Play: Mark Knopfler learned to play guitar at a young age, and his unique fingerpicking style developed over time through practice and experimentation.
Top Songs
- Some of Dire Straits’ most popular songs:
- “Sultans of Swing”
- “Money for Nothing” (feat. Sting)
- “Romeo and Juliet”
- “Private Investigations”
- “Brothers in Arms”
- “Walk of Life”
David Knopfler’s Departure
- Creative Differences: David Knopfler left the band in 1980 due to creative differences and personal tensions. He went on to pursue a solo career.
Biggest Hit
- “Brothers in Arms”: Released in 1985, “Brothers in Arms” was a massive hit and one of the band’s most iconic songs. The song’s themes of war and loss resonated with audiences worldwide.
Legacy
- Dire Straits has sold over 120 million records worldwide and has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
- The band’s music often explores themes of love, relationships, and social commentary, with Mark Knopfler’s distinctive vocals and guitar work being a key part of their sound.
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