Dire Straits Timeline

Dire Straits 19

1977 Dire Straits formed Mark Knopfler forms band in London, 1977 Dire Straits were formed in London in 1977 by Mark Knopfler (vocals, guitar), his brother David Knopfler (rhythm guitar), John Illsley (bass) and Pick Withers (drums). The name was coined by Withers while they rehearsed in a friend's kitchen.
1977 Sultans of Swing demo DJ Charlie Gillett plays the demo on BBC Radio Dire Straits recorded a demo of "Sultans of Swing" in 1977 which DJ Charlie Gillett played on his BBC Radio London show "Honky Tonk". The response was overwhelming and led directly to their record deal with Vertigo Records.
1978 Dire Straits Debut album — June 9, 1978 The Dire Straits debut album was released on June 9, 1978, recorded at Basing Street Studios in London for just £12,500. It featured "Sultans of Swing" and reached number 5 in the UK and number 2 in the US, becoming double platinum in both countries.
1979 Knopfler plays on Slow Train Coming Bob Dylan invites Knopfler to record — 1979 After seeing Dire Straits perform, Bob Dylan personally invited Mark Knopfler and drummer Pick Withers to play on his album Slow Train Coming (1979). This collaboration elevated Knopfler's profile enormously and began a lasting association between the two artists.
1979 Communiqué Second album — June 5, 1979 Communiqué was released on June 5, 1979, recorded at Compass Point Studios in Nassau, Bahamas with producers Jerry Wexler and Barry Beckett. It reached number 5 in the UK and number 11 in the US. The last album to feature David Knopfler.
1980 Making Movies Third album — October 17, 1980 Making Movies was released on October 17, 1980, recorded in New York with producer Jimmy Iovine. David Knopfler left during recording. The album included "Romeo and Juliet" and "Tunnel of Love" and reached number 4 in the UK and number 19 in the US.
1982 Love Over Gold Fourth album — September 24, 1982 Love Over Gold was released on September 24, 1982, featuring the epic "Telegraph Road" and "Private Investigations". It reached number 1 in the UK — their first chart-topper — and number 19 in the US. The last album with drummer Pick Withers.
1983 Knopfler writes Private Dancer for Tina Turner Song given to Tina Turner — 1983 Mark Knopfler wrote "Private Dancer" during the Love Over Gold sessions in 1983, deciding the song needed a female voice. He gave it to Tina Turner for her comeback album of the same name. The song reached number 7 on the Billboard Hot 100 and became one of Turner's signature songs.
1983 Local Hero film score Knopfler scores Bill Forsyth film — February 1983 Mark Knopfler composed the soundtrack to Bill Forsyth's acclaimed film Local Hero, released in February 1983. The score was released as an album and was a major success, demonstrating Knopfler's range beyond rock and beginning his parallel career as a film composer.
1983 Knopfler produces Bob Dylan's Infidels Dylan album produced by Knopfler — November 1, 1983 Mark Knopfler produced Bob Dylan's Infidels album, released on November 1, 1983, also featuring Dire Straits' Alan Clark on keyboards. The album was considered one of Dylan's best in years and further cemented Knopfler's reputation as a producer of the highest order.
1985 Brothers in Arms Fifth album — May 17, 1985 Brothers in Arms was released on May 17, 1985, becoming one of the best-selling albums of the 20th century with over 30 million copies sold. The first album to sell a million copies on CD, it reached number 1 worldwide and included "Money for Nothing" and "Walk of Life".
1985 Dire Straits play Live Aid Wembley Stadium — July 13, 1985 Dire Straits delivered one of the most celebrated performances at Live Aid at Wembley Stadium on July 13, 1985, with an extended "Money for Nothing" that included guest vocals by Sting. The concert was broadcast to 1.9 billion viewers in 150 nations.
1985 Money for Nothing launches MTV Europe First video on MTV Europe — August 1, 1985 "Money for Nothing" by Dire Straits was the first video played when MTV Europe launched on August 1, 1987. Its groundbreaking computer-animated video, one of the most expensive ever made at the time, became the defining image of 1980s MTV. The song featuring Sting's "I want my MTV" reached number 1 in the US.
1986 Brothers in Arms — first million-selling CD Milestone in music technology — 1986 Dire Straits' Brothers in Arms became the first album in history to sell one million copies on CD format, marking a pivotal moment in the transition from vinyl to digital music. The album's pristine production was perfectly suited to showcase the new CD format.
1987 Knopfler scores The Princess Bride Beloved film soundtrack — September 25, 1987 Mark Knopfler composed the score for Rob Reiner's beloved fantasy film The Princess Bride, released on September 25, 1987. The soundtrack album won a Grammy nomination and is considered one of the most charming film scores of the 1980s.
1990 Notting Hillbillies album released Knopfler's country-rock side project — March 5, 1990 The Notting Hillbillies, Mark Knopfler's country-rock side project with Brendan Croker and Steve Phillips, released Missing... Presumed Having a Good Time on March 5, 1990. It became a UK Top 10 album and signalled Knopfler's growing desire to move beyond the confines of Dire Straits.
1991 On Every Street Sixth and final album — September 9, 1991 On Every Street was released on September 9, 1991, Dire Straits' sixth and final studio album. It debuted at number 1 in the UK despite mixed reviews. An exhausting 14-month world tour followed, after which Mark Knopfler quietly disbanded the group in 1995.
1995 Dire Straits disband Mark Knopfler quietly ends the band — 1995 Dire Straits disbanded permanently in 1995 without any formal announcement, in keeping with the band's understated personality. Mark Knopfler went on to a successful solo career. John Illsley continued in music and became a painter.
2018 Dire Straits inducted into Rock Hall of Fame Rock and Roll Hall of Fame — April 14, 2018 Dire Straits were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on April 14, 2018. Mark Knopfler, John Illsley, Pick Withers and the late David Knopfler were all inducted. It was an overdue recognition for one of the best-selling bands in history.