Dire Straits

Dire Straits is a British rock band, formed in 1977 by Mark Knopfler (guitar and vocals), David Knopfler (guitar), John Illsley (bass) and Pick Withers (drums), and managed by Ed Bicknell. In an era when punk rock reigned, they played subdued, almost old-school rock and roll. Somewhat similar to punk rock, people eventually took to the band for their stripped-down sound, returning to the roots of rock in reaction to the overproduction of 70s rock. Mark Knopfler (the band's frontman) was heard to have asked pub managers to turn down the sound, so people could talk over the music, while they were still in their early days. Despite this complete antithesis to popular culture at the time, Dire Straits still became hugely successful.

Discography

Main Albums

• 1978 Dire Straits (US Sales: 2mil.)
• 1979 Communiqué (US Sales: 0.5mil.)
• 1980 Making Movies (US Sales: 1mil )
• 1982 Love Over Gold (US Sales: 0.5mil.)
• 1983 ExtendedancEPlay
• 1984 ' (US Sales: 0.5mil.) (live in London)
• 1985 Brothers in Arms (US Sales: 9mil.,World Sales: 25 mil)
• 1991 On Every Street (US Sales: 1mil.)

Compilations

• 1988 Money for Nothing (US Sales: 1mil.)
• 1993 On The Night (live album)
• 1995 Live at the BBC
• 1998 Sultans of Swing: The Very Best of Dire Straits
• 1999 Da Pen

Hit singles

• "Sultans of Swing" (1979) #8 UK; #4 US
• "Lady Writer" (1979) #51 UK
• "Romeo and Juliet" (1981) #8 UK
• "Skateaway" (1981) #37 UK
• "Private Investigations" (1982) #2 UK
• "Twisting by the Pool" (1983) #14 UK
• "So Far Away" (1985) #20 UK; #19 US
• "Money for Nothing" (1985) #4 UK; #1 US
• "Brothers in Arms" (1985) #16 UK
• "Walk of Life" (1986) #2 UK; #7 US
• "Your Latest Trick" (1986) #26 UK
• "Calling Elvis" (1991) #21 UK
• "Encores EP" (1993) #31 UK