Dire Straits Biography

Dire Straits were a British rock band, formed in 1977 by David Knopfler (guitar), his brother Mark Knopfler (guitar and vocals), John Illsley (bass), and Pick Withers (drums), and managed by Ed Bicknell. Although the band were formed in an era when punk rock reigned, Dire Straits worked within the conventions of classic rock, albeit with a stripped-down sound that appealed to modern audiences weary of the overproduced stadium rock of the 1970s (see 1970s in music). In their early days, Mark and David requested that pub owners turn down the amps so that patrons could converse while the band played - indicative of their unassuming demeanor. Despite this oddly self-effacing approach to rock and roll, Dire Straits soon became hugely successful with their first album going multi-platinum globally.

Their most famous songs include "Sultans of Swing," "Romeo and Juliet," "Private Investigations," "Money for Nothing," "Walk of Life," "Your Latest Trick," "Heavy Fuel," and "Brothers in Arms."