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Dire Straits – Brothers in Arms (Guitar Play Along) sheet music
Dire Straits
Dire Straits is a British rock music group formed in 1977 by the two brothers Mark Knopfler (guitar and vocals) and David Knopfler (guitar), John Illsley (bass) and Pick Withers (drums), with Ed Bicknell as manager.
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In a stage in which punk rock reigned, they had a different sound, almost rock and roll like before. In its early days, Mark Knopfler (the band’s leader) asked pub managers to let them perform, so that the music played in the background, allowing people to talk. Despite the antithesis of the popular culture of the moment, Dire Straits went on to have great success.
Dire Straits recorded their self-titled debut album in 1978 with little acceptance until five months later they released the single, ‘Sultans of Swing’ which made the record one of their biggest sellers.
His second album ‘Communiqué’ was published two months later; these first two albums shaped the band’s sound. The third album, Making Movies featuring Roy Bittan (of the E Street Band) on keyboards, marked a shift towards more elaborate arrangements and production, a trend that would continue throughout the band’s career.
In 1982, Dire Straits published ‘Love over gold’ and the single ‘Extended dance’ep play’. Brothers in Arms was released in 1985 and was an international hit, spawning several singles, including the number one ‘Money for Nothing’.
Helping the success was the fact that Brothers in Arms was one of the first records recorded entirely in digital format, the all-innovative CD. This had the side effect of making it one of the best-selling albums among consumers in favor of this technology.
Likewise, the new format was an excellent showcase for Knopfler’s meticulous production of his early albums, leading many fans to purchase his earlier work. Partly as a result of this (and a successful appearance at Nelson Mandela’s 70th birthday concert in June 1988), Dire Straits were the best-selling band in the world in the mid-1980s.
For six years they were inactive, releasing hits compilations and live shows. His last studio album, On Every Street was released in 1991 to mixed reviews and moderate success, featuring the single ‘Calling Elvis’. Mark Knopfler would concentrate on solo projects and film soundtracks.
The components of the band changed over the years, the constant being Mark Knopfler, who wrote most of the songs and acted as the leader of the band.
His compilation album Sultans of Swing contains only two songs that were not composed by Knopfler alone: ’Money for Nothing’, which was written with Sting, indeed Sting, merely added the refrain ‘I want my MTV » in the style of The Police’s hit, ‘Don’t Stand So Close To Me’. ‘Tunnel of Love’, contains an instrumental section based on Carrousell waltz music; everything else is Knopfler’s work.
Although compilations would continue to be released, the group disbanded in 1992 when the On Every Street world tour ended.
Its singer and guitarist Mark Knopfler continues in the world of solo music, and has already released 5 albums: Golden heart, Sailing to Philadelphia, The Ragpicker’s dream, Shangri-la and his latest Get Lucky. He has also composed the soundtrack for some films, including: Local hero, Cal, Comfort & Joy, The princess bride, Last Exit to Brooklyn, A shot of glory, etc.
Musicians who have been through Dire Straits: Alan Clark, Terry Williams, Hal Lindes, Tommy Mandel, Mel Collins, Chris White, Guy Fletcher, Joop De Korte, Phil Palmer, Danny Cummings, Chris Whitten, etc.
Dire Straits’ discography highlights: Sultans of swing, Romeo and Juliet, Tunnel of love, Money for nothing, Brothers in arms, Walk of life, So far away, Lady writer, Telegraph road, Twisting by the pool, Going home , Solid rock, Private investigations, Calling Elvis, etc.
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Band members
Main article: List of Dire Straits band members
- Mark Knopfler: lead vocals, lead & rhythm guitar, producer (1977–1995)
- John Illsley: bass, backing vocals, producer (1977–1995)
- Pick Withers: drums, occasional backing vocals (1977–1982)
- David Knopfler: rhythm guitar, backing vocals (1977–1980)
- Alan Clark: keyboards, producer (1980–1995)
- Hal Lindes: rhythm guitar, backing vocals (1980–1984)
- Terry Williams: drums (1982–1988)
- Guy Fletcher: keyboards, backing vocals, producer (1984–1995)
- Jack Sonni: rhythm guitar, backing vocals (1984–1988)
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Discography
Studio albums
Dire Straits (1978)
Communiqué (1979)
Making Movies (1980)
Love over Gold (1982)
Brothers in Arms (1985)
On Every Street (1991)