Dire Straits

Dire Straits was a Rock band from England whose music leaned more toward Classic Rock than the stadium rock of their time. They were led by main songwriter and guitarist Mark Knopfler, who went on to have an acclaimed—though relatively less commercially successful—solo career, after the group disbanded in 1995.

Fast Facts

1. Formed: 1977
2. Origin: Newcastle, England
3. Studio Albums: 6

History

Dire Straits was born into the twilight of the mid-1970s pub rock scene that preceded punk. Led by Knopfler, the band also contained his younger brother, rhythm guitarist and singer David Knopfler, bassist John Illsley and drummer Pick Withers. The band's 1978 self-titled debut, a subtle blend of blues, jazz and folk-rock, was out of place in the late-'70s rock landscape, but a commercial success both in England and the US. It wasn't until 1985's Brothers in Arms, however, that the band would achieve the massive success that found them headlining arenas around the world. The Brothers in Arms single "Money for Nothing" became a number one hit in the US. The band's final album was 1991's On Every Street. David Knopfler, whose deep voice is a dead-ringer for Mark's, left the band in 1983 to pursue his own solo career.

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