It was 1979 on a school trip to the Evoluon in Eindhoven that I first heard Dire Straits. Philips had special sound booths full of speakers in the Evoluon where you could enjoy music to the fullest. In this booth, I heard Sultans of Swing. Even now, when I want to really listen to a sound system, I play songs by Dire Straits. Unfortunately, I have never seen them live, but perhaps that will happen one day. Frontman Mark Knopfler no longer performs with his old band but still tours the world solo.
Dire Straits
Dire Straits (1977-1995) was a British rock band with the by far best-known member being singer-guitarist-songwriter Mark Knopfler. The band became famous with songs like Sultans of Swing, Private Investigations, Brothers in Arms and Money for Nothing. They had immediate success with their debut album Dire Straits and the single Sultans of Swing. In 1985, Brothers in Arms was released, one of the first fully digitally recorded albums. After 1995, Dire Straits released nothing new and performed only once more. Dire Straits and Mark Knopfler together sold more than 120 million albums and singles. In the Netherlands, the band sold over 2.5 million records.
Although Dire Straits never officially broke up, they have released nothing new since 1995. The band has performed only once since then. However, their musical legacy continued to bear fruit afterwards.
"It just got too big. If anyone can name me one good side of fame, I would like to hear it." Thus Mark Knopfler about the band's breakup.
In 1996, Mark Knopfler launched his solo career.
On 20 October, it was Dire Straits' turn during our Sunday Morning Classics with the album Communiqué
photo: Adrian Buss source: Wikipedia
