Dire Straits were a British rock band which formed in London in the year 1977. Two brothers, Mark and David Knopfler, lead and rhythm guitars respectively were instrumental in getting the band started.
Although Punk Rock was the popular genre at the time, Dire Straits initially based their sound more around the laid back bluesy rock sound as played by JJ Cale (soon to be featured here).
In 1977 Mark Knopfler (Lead Guitar and vocals), Dave Knopfler (Rhythm Guitar and backing vocals) and Paul Isley (Bass Guitar)were playing together. They cut a demo with drummer Pick Withers and this was picked up by a DJ named Charlie Gillet who started playing Sultans of Swing on his BBC show Honkin Tonkin. Following a tour as opening act for Talking heads the band started recording an album for the Vertigo label, also signing with Warner for US distribution.
Thanks to the Top 10 hit Sultans of Swing Dire Straits, and their self-named album, were an instant hit on both sides of the Atlantic…album and single making the Top 10
Their second album Communique was released in 1979 sold three million copies and established them as an ongoing act to follow. This album though was very much the formula used in the first album. Have a listen to Lady Writer which was the biggest hit from the album. To my mind this is very close to the sound and rhythm of Sultans of Swing. One would have been forgiven for thinking Dire Straits were ‘one trick ponies’
While recording their third album, David Knopfler left to pursue a solo career and he was replaced by Hal Lindes. The album Making Movies was a commercial success mainly due to the tunes Romeo and Juliet and Skateaway, but the critics were starting to get edgy… accusing the band of stagnating, or treading water musically.
I must admit I really did enjoy Romeo and Juliet ….
It was two full years before they released their next album, Love over Gold, and it was apparent that the band had been playing with different sounds. This album had long fairly complex passages as well as the song Private Investigations which made it to number two on the charts.
Over the next three years Mark Knopfler explored other music avenues outside of Dire Straits, doing a music score for Local Heroes as well as producing Bob Dylan’s Infidels. He wrote Private Dancer for Tina Turner’s comeback album. It was in 1985 that the band recorded the album which made them household names and ensured their recognition as international stars
The album was Brothers in Arms
The album spent 9 weeks at the top of the American charts, selling in excess of 9 million sets. Money for Nothing, Walk of Life and So Far Away kept Dire Straits on the charts right through 1986
The title track Brothers in Arms
Money for Nothing
Brothers in Arms was the top selling album of the 80’s …..
Sadly (in my opinion) that was the summit for Dire Straits as a band as Knopfler once again went off to pursue other music interests. Producing albums for various artists including Joan Armatrading and Randy Newman, writing movie scores and touring with Eric Clapton. I must include a track from the duet album recorded with Chet Atkins …Neck and Neck.
Yakety Axe …. Country and Western deluxe… now in my humble opinion.. how the heck did Mark Knopfler find this rewarding ???
That’s it!! Thanks for reading and hopefully listening to the music.
Credits:
http://www.allmusic.com/artist/dire-straits-mn0000167517/biography
I am featuring artists from the 60’s and 70’s from diverse genre’s over the next few months. If you love music … FOLLOW and take the journey with me..it is going to be one thrilling ride !! Furthermore I will only be featuring artists from MY vinyl collection, and I shall start all of the posts with a photo of an album cover to authenticate
Previous Music Legends
Leonard Cohen
The Doors
Bob Dylan
The Rolling Stones
60’s Protest Artists
Janis Joplin
And MANY more …right HERE