Dire Straits are a British rock band formed in 1977 and active until 1995. Their origin is Deptford, in the United Kingdom. The core line-up forms around Mark Knopfler on lead vocals and lead guitar, David Knopfler on rhythm guitar and backing vocals, John Illsley on bass guitar and backing vocals, and Pick Withers on drums and percussion. Later members include Hal Lindes, Alan Clark, Terry Williams, Guy Fletcher and Chris White.

Style and sound

Dire Straits are associated with blues rock, classic rock, pop rock, pub rock, rock and rock and roll. Their sound draws on country, folk, the blues-rock of J. J. Cale and jazz, and their stripped-down approach stands apart from punk rock while reflecting a roots rock influence that comes out of pub rock.

Early success

The band’s first single, “Sultans of Swing”, appears on their 1978 self-titled debut album and reaches the top ten in both the UK and US charts. Their early singles also include “Romeo and Juliet” in 1981, “Private Investigations” in 1982, and “Twisting by the Pool” in 1983.

Commercial peak

Dire Straits’ best-selling album is Brothers in Arms, released in 1985. It sells more than 30 million copies worldwide, becomes the first album to sell a million copies on compact disc, and ranks as the eighth-best-selling album in UK history. Other major singles from this period include “Money for Nothing” and “Walk of Life”, both from 1985.

Chart performance and touring

The band spends over 1,100 weeks on the UK Albums Chart, the fifth most of all time. Their 1985–1986 world tour includes a performance at Live Aid in July 1985 and sets a record in Australasia. Their final world tour, from 1991 to 1992, sells 7.1 million tickets.

Breakups, line-up changes and legacy

Dire Straits split in 1988, re-form in 1990, and disband in 1995. Mark Knopfler and John Illsley remain the only members throughout the band’s history, while Knopfler later focuses on a solo career and declines reunion offers. The group wins four Grammy Awards, three Brit Awards, including Best British Group twice, and two MTV Video Music Awards, and receives other honours. They are inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2018. In total, they sell between 100 and 120 million units worldwide, including 51.4 million certified units.

Albums

The band’s studio albums are Dire Straits (1978), Communiqué (1979), Making Movies (1980), Love over Gold (1982), Brothers in Arms (1985) and On Every Street (1991).