Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular Music

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

DIRE STRAITS

UK rock band formed in Deptford, South London (same area as Squeeze) by former journalist and teacher turned guitarist, singer, songwriter, Mark Knopfler (b 12 Aug. '49, London), with brother David on rhythm guitar, John Illsley, bass (b 24 June '49, London) and Pick Withers, drums; the band named after perennial financial state. Early break when they were featured on Charlie Gillett's radio show Honky Tonk; debut album Dire Straits '78 epitomized intimate sound, utterly unlike then-prevailing punk: laconic vocals infl. by J. J. Cale, Bob Dylan; fluid guitar work making Knopfler the most celebrated UK guitarist since Eric Clapton, incl. single 'Sultans Of Swing' (no. 8 UK/no. 4 USA '79) which some consider still to be their finest hour. Communiqu‚ '79 was more of the same; rivalry led to sacking of brother Dave '80 (he did solo LPs Release '83, Behind The Lines '85, Cut The Wire '87, Lips Against The Steel '88; The Giver and Small Mercies on Mesa '90s). Making Movies incl. Knopfler songs 'Romeo And Juliet', 'Tunnel Of Love', 'Skateaway', Hal Lindes replacing Dave and adding keyboardist Alan Clark. Meanwhile Dylan recruited Knopfler and Withers for Slow Train Coming '79, panned for lyrics but hailed as his best-sounding LP. Straits' Love Over Gold '83 incl. Tommy Mandel, keyboards, Terry Williams (ex- Rockpile) on drums, Dylan-infl. title track, marathon 14-minute 'Telegraph Road', seven-minute single (no. 2 UK) 'Private Investigation' (no. 2 UK). EP Twistin' By The Pool '83 took them back to good-time rock'n'roll roots; Withers left '83, replaced by Terry Williams; Alchemy '84 was live two-disc souvenir; Brothers In Arms '85 no. 1 for nine weeks USA, incl. hits with guest vocalist Sting on 'Money For Nothing' (USA no. 1), also rock'n'rolly 'Walk Of Life', folky 'The Man's Too Strong'. Lindes left '85; further albums were best-of Money For Nothing '88, On Every Street '91, live On The Night '93; Live At The BBC '95 compiled broadcast tracks '78--81. Knopfler prod. Dylan's Infidels '84, also an Aztec Camera LP, sessioned with Van Morrison, Steely Dan, McGarrigle Sisters, Bryan Ferry, Phil Everly, Chet Atkins (Stay Tuned '85 on CBS); wrote music '83--4 to Bill Forsyth films Local Hero and Comfort And Joy, Pat O'Connor's Cal, all highly rated British films; also Last Exit To Brooklyn '89, The Princess Bride '87; all except Comfort And Joy had soundtrack albums, single 'Goin' Home'/'Smooching' from Local Hero a UK hit. The top guitarist's financial straits were no longer dire, and he had accomplished superstardom without any swaggering or sucking up to the media. Knopfler recorded the Notting Hillbillies at his home studio in Notting Hill, London: Missing, Presumed Having A Good Time '90 incl. Brendan Croker and Steve Phillips, Straits' keyboardist Guy Fletcher (all played on Croker's album with the 5 O'Clock Shadows '89); the album had the down-home feel of a mythical American South. Knopfler's Golden Heart recorded in Nashville and London, released '96 on WB.