Hendrix died in his 20s and Clapton, though he shied away from his earlier, more extravagant fireworks, carried his blues legend status with him. Tunnel Of Love, a tale of romance in a seaside carnival, is also interpreted by some as Dire Straits own story of their rise to fame: And the big wheel keep on turning / Neon burning up above / And Im just high on this world. Tunnel Of Love showcases a new dynamism in the bands sound and is less laid-back and melancholy. However Withers is gone before Mark Knopfler gets involved with The Droop; Withers and Knopfler do not meet at this time. John Illsley With John Illsley are: Steve Smith - keyboard/vocals After a few months of rehearsals and a show at the Rock Garden, Dire Straits make a demo recording. He takes piano lessons as a child. I thought Id better get some of it down before I forget it all, he jokes over the phone from Provence. Currently, John Illsley is 73 years, 8 months and 18 days old. Knopfler and Phillips get along well and they perform together as The Duolian Stringpickers for the next few years. In April 1970 Mark Knopfler makes a demo recording of a song called Summers Coming My Way. 1, US no. So, ultimately, Mark Knopfler may not be remembered so much as a guitar hero, but he preserved his own identity and that may be a greater triumph. Discover John Illsley's Biography, Age, Height, Physical In 2002 Dire Straits reforms for four charity concerts in London and Beaulieu Abbey. For Illsley, becoming a pro musician was the realisation of a dream that formed listening to Little Richard and Elvis on Radio Luxembourg, courtesy of his brother Wills crystal radio set at home in Market Harborough. (Note: Danny Cummings was never officially a member of Dire Straits but he provided percussion for On Every Street and subsequently accompanied Mark Knopfler on the guitarists solo work and also did the same for Guy Fletcher.) Brothers In Arms has a more lavish production and overall sound than earlier Dire Straits albums. That was where I found my voice on the guitar, claims Knopfler. The next move for Dire Straits is to seek advice from disc jockey Charlie Gillett. Chris Whitten also plays in The Dire Straits Experience from 2012. In 1991, as Dire Straits prepare to tour and promote On Every Street, a decision is made to add two more official members to the groups line-up: Chris Whitten (drums) and Paul Franklin (pedal steel guitar). The rest of the album consists of moody, atmospheric instrumentals. Guy Fletcher first works with Mark Knopfler in 1983 on the soundtracks for Comfort And Joy and Cal. Their first live performance was at a 1977 punk festival, held outside their flat, on the Farrer House lawn we were the odd onesout, laughs John, themisfits, doing our own thing! They used local band Squeezes PA, and their flat as the dressing room. For On Every Street, Dire Straits Mark Knopfler (vocals, guitar), Alan Clark (keyboards), Guy Fletcher (keyboards, guitar, backing vocals), John Illsley (bass) and Chris White (saxophone) is augmented by a variety of session musicians. Dire Straits reassemble for the second wedding of the groups ex-bassist John Illsley on 19 June 1999. Beckett plays keyboards on some songs (under the alias of B. The tour winds up with some more dates in the U.K. concluding on 18 November 1978 at the College of Education in Hitchin. This comes across as author Mark Knopflers audition for writing a movie score since it portrays a world-weary detective: Its a mystery to me / The game commences / For the usual fee / Plus expenses. A steely-stringed semi-acoustic guitar accompanies the narrative, which is also punctuated by sound affects like footsteps and a key turning in a lock. 65, AUS no. On Every Street (1991) (UK no. The On Every Street tour is said to be a disappointment, with many tickets going unsold in both the U.S. and Europe. The final show takes place in Zaragoza, Spain, on 9 October 1992. 45, AUS no. 19, AUS no. His companions in this project are: Phil Palmer (guitar), Chris White (saxophone) and Steve Ferrone (drums). Knopfler explains, The lead character in Money For Nothing is a guy who works in the hardware department in a television / custom kitchen / refrigerator / microwave appliance store. 22). The recording sessions took place at Basing Street Studios in London from 13 February 1978 to 5 March 1978. By contrast, during the first months of recording, drummer Terry Williams is found unsuitable. Session musician Omar Hakim plays drums on most of the album. 11, AUS no. Immediate Family Sarah Ilsley wife Sarah Ilsley Greeley daughter John Ilsley (Ilsly) son Jonathan Ilsley son Ruth I daughter Richard Ilsley father Joanne Jane Ilsley mother About John Ilsley, Sr. Immigration - Circa 1683 on the "Confidence" John was born in 1609. He could hardly forget the day he met Mark, though. 8, US no. We had to learn how the business worked very quickly.. In the first half of each show, Mark Knopfler and Brendan Croker play some Notting Hillbillies material. Paul V. Franklin is born on 31 May 1954 in Detroit, Michigan, U.S.A. Franklins speciality is pedal steel guitar, the instrument that provides the weeping sound long, keening notes most often associated with country music. When Terry Williams joins Love Sculpture in 1970, the groups line-up comprises: Dave Edmunds (vocals, guitar), Mickey Gee (guitar), John David (bass) and Terry Williams (drums). Any pieces that are not written by Mark Knopfler alone will have their authors credited here; otherwise all Dire Straits songs mentioned here are Mark Knopfler compositions. In 2015 Alan Clark has a new band, Y-Company: Jamie Squire (vocals, guitar), Adam Phillips (guitar), Alan Clark (keyboards), Jake Newman (bass) and Andy Treacey (drums). (LogOut/ It is at this time that Mark Knopfler joins the band as lead guitarist. He has four children: James, 37; Jess, 30; Harry, 22; and Deedee, 21. Subsequently, John Illsley releases the following solo albums: Streets Of Heaven (2010); Testing The Water (2014); Live In London (2014); and Long Shadows (2016). Around 2012, saxophonist Chris White creates The Dire Straits Experience. Although future Dire Straits colleague Mark Knopfler also later works with Brewers Droop, Withers and Knopfler are not both in Brewers Droop at the same time. Like her brother, Nastassia Staz Lindes combines modelling and music. 9, US no. An exceptionally gifted guitarist, virtuoso guitar playing, plays a Stratocaster with the understated emotion of a young Eric Clapton and one of the new guitar heroes. This album is co-produced by Jimmy Iovine and Dire Straits leader, Mark Knopfler. Mark later says he is a Marxist agnostic. Mark Knopfler starts his education with two years at Bearsden Primary School in Scotland. Producer Jimmy Iovine had previously served as a recording engineer for U.S. rock star Bruce Springsteen. There are portrait songs where there is a character, and there are situation songs where Im in the pictureOther times, I could be reading a book and traveling and there is a collision of time and placeTheres a geography to the thing., With his roles as vocalist, lead guitarist and songwriter, it is not surprising that there is an impression that Mark Knopfler is always the main force behind Dire Straits and that, in essence, Dire Straits is a one-man show.. This act consists of: Mick Dewhurst (vocals), Mark Knopfler (guitar), Dave Johnson (bass) and Paul Granger (drums). Find album reviews, track lists, credits, awards and more at AllMusic. About John Illsley is a 73 year old English Musician. Dire Straits honed their craft playing the local Albany Empire and that same year recorded a five-track demo, including Sultans Of Swing, thanks to the 500 Johns grandmother left him in her will. I feel really blessed. He tours with Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel in 1979 and 1981 and with Roxy Music on the tour to promote their album Avalon (1982) (UK no. 25); Tracker (2015) (UK no. Dire Straits appear at the Live Aid show on 13 July 1985 at Wembley Stadium in London. Alan Clark plays keyboards on No Good Woman (1978) by Geordie, the band that features future AC/DC vocalist Brian Johnson. In 2011 keyboardist Alan Clark puts together The Straits, a group designed to play some shows featuring the music of Dire Straits. The follow-up single, Water Of Love (AUS no. On the other hand, Romeo And Juliet (UK no. John marries his second wife, Stephanie, This compilation includes Mark Knopfler solo recordings as well as Dire Straits material. Upcoming Birthday. Career In 1977, Mark Knopfler formed the internationally celebrated rock band Dire Straits along with David Knopfler, John Illsley, and Pick Withers. A lot of press reports were saying we were the biggest band in the world, says Knopfler. Mandel does not officially join Dire Straits; he is only part of this tour. Charlies music was kinder on the ears.. Fender Stratocaster guitar) in 1977, the whole thing changed, though the lyrics remained the same. After that, he studies sociology at Goldsmiths College, University of London, and opens a record shop with his girlfriend. A second album, The Booze Brothers (1989), is recorded during 1973 but it is not issued until sixteen years later. David Knopfler is not far behind his big brother in getting into music. It has a steady rhythm framing the tale of a man who is High and dry in the long hot day / Lost and lonely every way. The guitar strains at the leash like it too wants the cool relief of Water Of Love. Dire Straits Mark Knopfler becomes the darling of a new generation [of] relatively well-to-do compact disc buyers.. Things get more complicated in 1973. Although The Notting Hillbillies look like an ongoing project, they release only one album, MissingPresumed Having A Good Time (1990) (UK no. 16); A Shot At Glory (2002) [soundtrack]; The Ragpickers Dream (2002) (UK no. Terry Williams is born Terrence Williams on 11 January 1948 in Swansea, Wales. 19, AUS no. He owns a local pub, the The Honky Tonk Demos, released as an EP on 18 April 2015, is the clutch of songs disc jockey Charlie Gillett first heard from Dire Straits. Hal Andrew Lindes is born on 30 June 1983 in Monterey, California, U.S.A. His parents are Russian. In 1973 he works with a band called Brewers Droop. 7, US no. Subsequently, he works with such country music singers as Vince Gill, Mel Tillis and Jerry Reed. The performances on this disc were recorded at Hammersmith Odeon, London, on 22-23 July 1983. After a while, though, the group just wasnt a good vehicle for the songs Id written, claims Mark Knopfler. 9) released in November by U.S. duo Steely Dan. (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) for services to music. Yet many of the songs on Dire Straits reflect Knopflers experiences in Newcastle, Leeds and London. Perhaps it is this more personal than usual dimension, coupled with the grainy musical textures, that makes this the best album in the Dire Straits catalogue. 6, AUs no. 1, US no. 20, US no. Williams is an in-demand session musician playing on many albums. But first John, who used to own a driving range in Borehamwood, so knows Watford well, is keen to share the music from Testing the Water, which he worked on with Mark and Straits keyboardist Guy Fletcher as well as some old classics such as Romeo and Juliet. It just came alive as soon as I played it on that 61 Strat which remained my main guitar for many years and was basically the only thing I played on the first album and the new chord changes just presented themselves and fell into place. When it is released in May 1978, Sultans Of Swing fails to make it to the singles chart. 66, AUS no. 53) on 10 January 1983. Pick Withers takes on that role. Brewers Droop (1971-1973) has a history before Mark Knopfler comes along. Brgerl. The first single is Private Investigations (UK no. After Brewers Droop calls it a day, Mark Knopfler plays with local pub bands. Eventually, he settles in with a band called Caf Racers. 5), released on 10 May, is a live album by Dire Straits. Chris Whitten is born on 26 March 1959 in Wimbledon, London, England. David Knopfler is already sharing his abode with John Illsley. It was an incredible thing to be a part of, and that people still listen to it. First single Sultans Of Swing went Top Ten in the USA, England, Canada and Australia, and their self-titled debut album went multi-platinum. Guy Fletcher appears on many of the solo albums by former Dire Straits leader Mark Knopfler. Brothers in Arms, released in 1985, was the first album to sell a million copies in CD form and is the eighth bestselling album in UK history. Mark Knopfler and company hope that Charlie Gillett may be able to offer some useful tips but, contrary to their expectations, Gillett begins playing on his show a track from their demo, a tune called Sultans Of Swing. Since 2011 Illsley has been free of the disease. This fuzz sound is said to be a happy accident that results from Mark Knopfler using a closely-miked Gibson Les Paul electric guitar rather than his more familiar instruments in an attempt to replicate the sound of U.S. boogie rock act ZZ Top. 20, UK no. One of Marks newspaper assignments is to interview a local blues guitarist named Steve Phillips. She was working for Warner Bros. Records when Mark met her. When Dire Straits go on tour in 1983 to promote both Love Over Gold and the ExtendedancEPlay EP, they are joined by Tommy Mandel (keyboards) to help ease the burden on keyboardist Alan Clark. In April 1977 Mark moves out of his Buckhurst Hill flat and moves into a flat where his brother, David, is living. Back then you couldnt play Italy without the say-so of the Mafia. 43); Knopfler produces Bap Kennedys The Sailors Revenge (2012); Privateering (2012) (UK no. Live In Les Beaux De Provence (2007) is credited to John Illsley with Cunla and Greg Pearle. The third Dire Straits album, Making Movies (1980) (UK no. Rounding out the contents of Making Movies are: two hard-rocking tracks, Expresso Love and Solid Rock; a semi-acoustic piece akin to Romeo And Juliet called Hand In Hand; and the closing track, Les Boys, a camp goof. WebJohn Illsleys age is 73. This tale of a sculptor who finds fame after his death raises some eyebrows: And now all the vultures are coming down from the trees / Hes gonna be / In the galla, galla, gallery. Reportedly, the song is inspired by Leeds sculptor Harry Phillips, the father of Steve Phillips the guitarist who was Mark Knopflers partner in the Duolian Stringpickers. That is probably not the case. Grammys and Brits followed, but the Dutch awarded them first. In 1968 Mark is hired as a junior reporter in the Leeds office of the Yorkshire Evening Post newspaper. Love Over Gold is produced by Dire Straits leader Mark Knopfler. Bassist Malcolm Barrett leaves the band and is replaced by Derrick Timms. The show is headlined by new wave band Squeeze but, aside from Dire Straits, all the other acts on the bill are punk rock bands. 16, AUS no. There are seemingly impossible feats of speedy fingers across the guitar neck as the song climaxes and fades. 37, US no. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. Profil: Born on 24 June 1949, in Leicester, Illsley was the bass player for the British rock band Dire Straits. Half an inch deeper and Id have never played a guitar again. 27). 2, US no. In the late 1970s, Jack Sonni plays some gigs with his own band, The Leisure Class. In 1999 the same year in which he marries Stephanie John Illsley learns that he has leukaemia. More directly, Romeo And Juliet is inspired by Mark Knopflers failed romance with Holly Beth Vincent of new wave band Holly And The Italians. He attends Lawrence Weston Secondary School. Both Mark Knopfler and David Knopfler develop an interest in music. The role of Knopflers guitar work is acknowledged in the bands first logo: a Fender Stratocaster guitar with the words Dire Straits inscribed across it in cursive script. 5, US no. 3), released on 17 October, is a collection of the biggest hits and best known songs by Dire Straits. 24), Slow Motion (1974), Maximum Darkness (1975) (UK no. Warner Brothers release the album in the U.S.A. and it is only after it is a hit in that country that Dire Straits really catches on in the United Kingdom. Sultans Of Swing: The Very Best Of Dire Straits (1998) (UK no. 105, AUS no. The music of Dire Straits is difficult to categorise. At the same time, he also begins playing music again, starting a new band called Los Perros de Amor (which roughly translates from Spanish as Love Dogs). On the other hand, they had a liberal bias for letting us follow our own path. How did your childhood influence your attitude to money? 35) (on the Mercury label) is also available in one and two disc versions. The group performs two songs: Money For Nothing (with a guest appearance by Sting) and Sultans Of Swing. Hes singing the song. He tells Mark that the guitarist is harder to get hold of than Elvis. Heavy Fuel (UK no. The water metaphor is also present in the moody opening track Down To The Waterline. Emerging from a sonic fog like the light atop an incoming ship, Mark Knopflers guitar illuminates a couple on the wharf with No money in our jackets and our jeans are torn / Your hands are cold but your lips are warm. Supposedly, Down To The Waterline is inspired by Mark Knopflers younger days in the port city of Newcastle. Photo: 26) tries to recapture the vibe of Money For Nothing. 7, AUS no. 1985s Brothers In Arms sold more than 30million copies worldwide. In My Life in Dire Straits: The Inside Story of One of the Biggest Bands in Rock History, bassist and founding member John Illsley goes behind the music with never-before-told stories tracing Dire Straits rise from the spit-and-sawdust pubs of London to the best-known venues and concerts in the world, and inside the studio recording some of the In the 1960s, he plays drums for such Welsh bands as The Commancheros, The Smokeless Zone, Dream and Plum Crazy. It has been six years since the last Dire Straits album, Brothers In Arms (1985). Mark likened fame to the fumes that come out of a car exhaust., His book, he says, is a celebration of what we did and all the people we worked with.. Love Over Gold is an album of songs filled with lengthy, experimental passages. Note: Three additional songs are created for Love Over Gold but do not end up on the album. This disc is issued on 31 October. Born John Edward Illsley on 24th June, 1949 in Leicester, England United Kingdom, he is famous for Dire Straits. It was like the Wild West. Around this time, Mark Knopfler alters his guitar technique. 17, AUS no. Dire Straits leader Mark Knopfler participates in the celebrity challenge car race at the Australian Grand Prix. Aside from Chris White, the only member of The Dire Straits Experience who has some history with the band to whom they are paying tribute is Chris Whitten who played drums on Dire Straits 1991-1992 tour. I thought it was dull, but as soon as I bought my first Strat (i.e. The album Dire Straits is a slow burn success. Additionally, Guys namesake uncle was a songwriter, working in partnership with Doug Flett. The first task Ed Bicknell performs for Dire Straits is securing them a booking as the support act for the twenty-three date December 1977 U.K. tour by U.S. new wave band Talking Heads. The latter continues to play guitar in the group but the addition of Knopfler gives Mackay some space to exercise his vocal aspirations as well. Love Over Gold is recorded at the Power Station in New York from 8 March 1982 to 11 June 1982. WebJohn Illsley. 2 & 3 (2016). The lad is taught to play by his childhood friend, Richard Storer. This act consists of: Mark Knopfler (vocals, guitar), Brendan Croker (guitar, vocals), Steve Phillips (guitar, vocals), Paul Franklin (pedal steel guitar), Guy Fletcher (keyboards, vocals), Marcus Cliff (bass) and Ed Bicknell (drums). I did a couple of gigs with Marks band because the bass players girlfriend was having a baby. He stayed at a friends Deptford flat, coming home to find the front door had been kicked in and the whole place had been smashed to pieces, including some of my favourite records, there was blood on the floor, ceiling and walls, The angry boyfriend of a student John had slept with had inflicted the damage. It gets a good reaction. While at that school, the 13 year old takes up playing saxophone. B. This followed the birth in 1988 of Jacks twin daughters, Caitlin and Nadine, and Jack learning he would have to raise the girls as a single parent. Former Dire Straits guitarist Hal Lindes composes the soundtrack for the movie The Boys are Back (2009). In the second half, Knopfler is joined by Guy Fletcher (keyboards, guitar, backing vocals), Chris White (saxophone), John Illsley (bass) and Danny Cummings (drums) to play some Dire Straits songs. However, Terry Williams leaves Man again in 1997. He said Sultans was the best new song hed heard in years. John Illsley is a famous Bassist. Other guests include Phil Palmer (guitar) [the nephew of Ray & Dave Davies of U.K. rock band The Kinks], Paul Franklin (pedal steel guitar) [from The Notting Hillbillies] and Danny Cummings (percussion). Rockpile has a rather unusual existence, providing backing on solo albums by group leaders Dave Edmunds and Nick Lowe. It is known that, by 2011, Pick Withers is a widower. I put the thing [of being a rock star] to bed because I wanted to get back to some kind of reality. Money For Nothing (1988) (UK no. He sparkled, but to his parents horror, John quit to become a full-time sociology student at Goldsmiths. Brothers In Arms (1985) (UK no. In Milan thousands of people broke into the stadium. 26, AUS no. The cover image of a lone figure on a moonlit tropical beach an image seemingly painted on an envelope is the work of Grant Advertising U.K. (record company Phonograms advertising agency). Next, Terry Williams has a short stint in Neverland Express (1981-1982), the backing group for U.S. singer Meatloaf. The guitarist is removed from his vehicle suffering from shock and a possible fractured collarbone. Two more songs are lifted from On Every Street as singles but only for European markets. Dire Straits Mark Knopfler serves as producer on Randy Newmans album Land Of Dreams (1988) (US no. Illsley's marriage went on to the rocks when his wife, Paula, heard Tracey had moved into the Point Piper flat, according to a 1988 column by Dorian Wild. Mark Knopfler goes on to record Neck And Neck (1990) (UK no. Love Over Gold (1982) (UK no. Another distinguishing element of Money For Nothing is the backing vocal by Sting, formerly the vocalist of U.K. new wave band The Police and just now starting his own solo career. It darts in and out like a brightly coloured fish passing through seaweed. While there, the 13 year old begins playing organ in workingmens clubs. As well as Mark, Erwin and Louisa have a second son, David Knopfler, who is born on 27 December 1952 in Glasgow. The other residents of Farrer House were bemused when a big limo turned up to take us to the airport, he smiles. Both Winwood brothers were members of British rock band The Spencer Davis Group in the 1960s. Illsley takes the roles of lead vocalist, bassist and guitarist for this disc. When it becomes clear that Jack Sonni will have to raise his children alone, he resigns from Dire Straits in 1988. I was building a democracy, and Mark was making an autocracy, says David. misfits, doing our own thing! They used local band Squeezes PA, and their flat as the dressing room. Mark Knopfler (vocals, lead guitar), David Knopfler (guitar), John Illsley (bass) and Pick Withers (drums) are the founding and definitive members of the band they call Dire Straits. Bear), prompting group leader Mark Knopfler to start thinking about having a permanent keyboard player in the band. It is not clear exactly when the marriage ends. From 2000 to 2007 Terry Williams runs a blues club in Swansea, Wales. Erwin Knopfler is an architect and chess-player. There is another noteworthy aspect to the success of Brothers In Arms. 21). 127), a duet album with famed country music guitarist Chet Atkins. Screenplaying (1993) is a compilation album of the soundtrack works by Dire Straits leader Mark Knopfler. Jacks wife does not remain on the scene and so he raises the two girls as a single parent. Comfort And Joy is a three song, twelve-inch EP issued on 27 July 1984. Given this family background, it is not surprising that Guy Fletcher also gravitates towards the music business. 54, AUS no. Finally, Brewers Droop dissolves at the end of 1973. During his recent interview, John Illsley reflected on the challenges Mark Knopfler faced after the bands massive success. 2, AUS no. Note: Man was formed in 1969. 14, US no. WebA gentle man with his gracious wife They had their dreams of a perfect life Worked the land until the sun went down They were lovers then in that market town The battle ground had left its legacy No words he spoke of this victory He built a world that was safe and sound Life was good in that Market town There have been many sensible Mercedes estates over the years, but he did allow himself one moment of proper rock star abandon: a 1978 Aston Martin Vantage. At one point, the songs narrator sneers, See the little faggot with the earring and the make-up? But they would have preferred us to be architects or lawyers, It is probably around this time that Mark Knopfler meets Kathy White since she is described as his long-time girlfriend from school days.. John starts playing guitar on a Rosetti Lucky 7 that he buys for ten pounds. Dire Straits On Location tour winds up on 6 July 1981 in Luxembourg. The opening track and longest song (8:09) Tunnel Of Love (UK no. WebAccording to our records, John Illsley is possibly single. John Illsley of Dire Straits & His Band with Steve Picken Sat 11th Nov 2017 Doors: 8:00 pm / Show: 8:00pm (Showtimes Approx) Founder member & Bassman of Dire Straits 18 Adv / 20 Door Playing songs from acclaimed new album Long Shadows plus classic Dire Straits. Dire Straits is produced by Muff Winwood, the elder brother of rock star Steve Winwood. John Illsley is educated at Bromsgrove School, Worcestershire and a further education college near Kettering, Northamptonshire. Cal (1984), released on 24 August, is another Mark Knopfler composed movie soundtrack. She is not publicly identified. One night, he is stuck with performing with an old acoustic guitar with a badly warped neck and extra-light strings. Additionally, he owns a pub, The East End Arms, in East End (between Lymington and Beaulieu). Around 1990, Hal Lindes marries Mary Lovett, a model who was the first wife of U.K. pop star Peter Frampton from 1972 to 1976. Around this time, Dire Straits bassist John Illsley marries. Illsley now lives in Hampshire, with his second wife Stephanie and his four children. He owns a local pub, the East End Arms, located in the hamlet of East End between Lymington and Beaulieu, and which has been listed by critics as one of the Fifty Best Pubs Around Britain.