Mark Knopfler A Life Dedicated To Music Vol 1 From Mark Knopfler To Dire Straits

In this first volume discover the true story of Mark Knopfler, a simple man and a legendary guitarist. From his birth in Glasgow to the beginnings of Dire Straits in Deptford, from his first chords played in Newcastle to the recording of 'Communique' in the Bahamas, follow his footsteps... Proof reading by Mark Knopfler; foreword by John Illsley.

The bass player and founding member Dire Straits shares a behind-the-scenes history of the British rock band. One of the most successful music acts of all time, Dire Straits filled stadiums around the world. Their albums sold hundreds of millions of copies and their music—classics like “Sultans of Swing,” “Romeo and Juliet,” “Money for Nothing,” and “Brothers in Arms” —is still played on every continent today. There was, quite simply, no bigger band on the planet throughout the eighties. In this powerful and entertaining memoir, founding member John Illsley gives the inside track on the most successful rock band of their time. From playing gigs in the spit-and-sawdust pubs of south London, to hanging out with Bob Dylan in LA, Illsley tells the story of the band with searching honesty, soulful reflection, and wry humor. Starting with his own unlikely beginnings in Middle England, he recounts the band’s rise from humble origins to the best-known venues in the world, the working man’s clubs to Madison Square Garden, sharing gigs with wild punk bands to rocking the Live Aid stage at Wembley. And woven throughout is an intimate portrait and tribute to his great friend Mark Knopfler, the band’s lead singer, songwriter, and remarkable guitarist. Tracing an idea that created a phenomenal musical legacy, an extraordinary journey of joy and pain, companionship and surprises, this is John Illsley’s life in Dire Straits. Praise for My Life in Dire Straits “A forensic and uplifting journey through the sheer hard work, pitfalls, and thrills of navigating a great rock and roll band to the pinnacle of success. I so enjoyed the ride! Onwards, John!” —Roger Taylor, drummer, songwriter, and founding member of Queen “Reading John Illsley’s book, I relived so many moments. He captures the early days of the “English bands” and their story—the ups and downs, relationships, craziness, and fun. Of course, the music was key. This really happened!” —Mike Rutherford of Genesis “Fascinating. . . . Illsley is brutally frank about the toll that the band’s fame had on his relationships, most notably his marriage (“a victim,” he writes, “of my life on the road”). Fans will be mesmerized.” —Publishers Weekly (starred review)

Dire Straits filled giant stadiums around the world and sold hundreds of millions of records. Throughout the eighties, they were one of the biggest bands on the planet. Their classic songs - 'Sultans of Swing', 'Money for Nothing', 'Brothers In Arms' - formed the soundtrack of a generation and live on today. In his memoir, John Illsley - founding member and bassist - evokes the spirit of the times and tells the story of one of the great live acts of rock history. Starting with his own unlikely beginnings, he recounts the band's rise from humble origins in London's spit-and-sawdust pubs to the best-known venues in the world, the working man's clubs to Madison Square Garden and the Live Aid stage at Wembley. Until, ultimately, the demands of touring and living in the spotlight took their inevitable toll. John's story is also a tribute to his great friend Mark Knopfler, the band's lead singer, songwriter and gifted guitarist - the only band members to stay the fifteen-year distance. Told with honesty, soulful reflection and wry humour, this is the first and only account of that incredible story.

Dire Straits were a British rock band formed in Deptford, London during 1977 by Mark Knopfler (lead vocals and lead guitar), David Knopfler (rhythm guitar and backing vocals), John Illsley (bass guitar and backing vocals), and Pick Withers (drums and percussion). The group's records sales have exceeded 100 million, since their breakthrough single "Sultans of Swing", from their eponymous debut album, entered the top 10 of the UK and US charts during 1978. The band had further hit singles in the 1980s, including "Private Investigations" (1983), "Money for Nothing" (1985), and "Walk of Life" (1985). Their most successful L.P. was Brothers in Arms (1985), which has sold more than 30 million copies, the 8th-best-selling in UK chart history, having been the first album to sell a million copies in the compact disc (CD) format. Dire Straits' sound was drawn from a wide variety of musical influences including jazz, folk, country, and the blues-rock of J. J. Cale and Eric Clapton. Their stripped-down sound contrasted with punk rock, having shown a roots rock influence that emerged from pub rock. The Guinness Book of British Hit Albums states that Dire Straits have spent over 1,100 weeks on the UK albums chart, the 5th highest of all-time. Their career spanned 15 years, having broken up during 1988, reformed in 1991 then disbanded again during 1995, after Mark Knopfler launched his solo career full-time.

Births, deaths and marriages, No1 singles, drug busts and arrests, famous gigs and awards... all these and much more appear in this fascinating 50 year almanac.Using a page for every day of the calendar year, the author records a variety of rock and pop events that took place on a given day of the month across the years.This Day in Music is fully illustrated with hundreds of pictures, cuttings and album covers, making this the must-have book for any pop music fan.

(Inside full colours) - A walk through the places that inspired the songs and marked the history of Dire Straits and Mark Knopfler, since Glasgow, where Knopfler was born, Newcastle, where he grown up, his journalist and early musical days in Leeds to London, New York and the success with his band, and later as a solo artist.