Dire Straits were a British rock band formed in London in 1977 by Mark Knopfler, David Knopfler, John Illsley, and Pick Withers. They were active from 1977 to 1988 and again from 1991 to 1995. Their first single, "Sultans of Swing", from their 1978 self-titled debut album, reached the top ten in the UK and US charts. It was followed by hit singles including "Romeo and Juliet", "Private Investigations", "Twisting by the Pool", "Money for Nothing", and "Walk of Life". Their most commercially successful album, Brothers in Arms, has sold more than 30 million copies; it was the first album to sell a million copies on compact disc, and is the eighth-bestselling album in UK history. According to the Guinness Book of British Hit Albums, Dire Straits have spent over 1,100 weeks on the UK albums chart, the fifth most of all time. Dire Straits' sound draws from various influences including country, folk, the blues rock of J. J. Cale, and jazz.
| Origin | Deptford, London, England |
| Genres | Roots rock, blues rock, pub rock |
| Years active | 1977–1988 (1988), 1991–1995 (1995) |
| Labels | Vertigo, Mercury, Warner Bros. |
| Associated acts | The Notting Hillbillies, Eric Clapton, Sting, Bob Dylan |
| Past members | Mark Knopfler, David Knopfler, John Illsley, Pick Withers, Alan Clark, Hal Lindes, Terry Williams, Guy Fletcher, Jack Sonni, Chris White, Phil Palmer, Chris Whitten |
About Dire Straits
Band that won four Grammy Awards, three of which were for the song "Brothers in Arms." They also won three Brit Awards including Best British Group, twice. They split up in 1995.
Achievement of Dire Straits
They were originally known as the Café Racers, until they decided to change their name while rehearsing in a friend's kitchen.
Top Facts You Did Not Know About Dire Straits
Dire Straits Category.. Roots rock music groups.. English blues rock musical groups.. Vertigo Records artists.. Brit Award winners.
Latest information about Dire Straits updated on July 28 2021.
