Inductee Insights: Dire Straits

Led by lead singer and guitarist Mark Knopfler’s stinging, uniquely melodic, and clean-edged guitar, Dire Straits stood in direct contrast to the punk rock enveloping London. Introspective lyrics with out-of-this-world guitar and drum sounds made them one of the most original rock bands of the 80s.
Dive into the Dire Straits sonic history in our Inductee Insights powered by PNC Bank episode. Visit rockhall.com/stories for more episodes and stories about your favorite artists.

[@kalpkumudkumar8163]

Mark knopfler is THE best Guitarist and song writer ever ......

[@alains.8759]

I agree

[@squeekyshoez7712]

Affirmative!!

[@ritaangelastri7414]

Il sound dei Dire Straits allarga l’aria intorno ,;mette allegria e.serenità; crea un’energia positiva che stimola le forze di chi ascolta a muoversi e ballare . Ed è originalissimo. Lo si riconosce subito, come la voce della persona amata.

[@FxnWaySheGoes]

Best band ever. Nobody comes close. So unique and always chose art over fame.

[@devilsoffspring5519]

I guess you didn't notice, but Dire Straits were massively famous back in the mid-'80s. They were pretty much the biggest rock band in the world :)

[@Lukas-kh5gu]

Man, I was born in 1995 but even I can feel the nostalgia. This is just so pure and original music. I can not understand how so many ppl my age are not touched in any way when hearing one of these evergreens for the first time.

[@TheJuanisreal]

2001 here...

[@talkswithvigy7860]

Lukas T they defy age barriers true music fans will love them no matter the age.

[@krislindeboom910]

2004 here.. 😁

[@Blade-vk4fe]

2006 here and Dire Straits is part of my 5 favorite bands of all time

[@letsgococo288]

1988 in Australia concert!! Dire Straits are world wide famous.

[@romangagne5842]

When I was little, everytime my grandfather and grandmother would go on trips and would take my sister and I, he'd always play the Brothers in Arms CD. As a kid, hearing the opening of Walk of Life always made you smile and happy. I always thank my grandfather for introducing me to this amazing band! My favourite song of theirs is Your Latest Trick

[@batman89-92]

Fact. the vinyl records were so amazing

[@charleneguiliano2943]

My favorite song writer the very best guitar player and like his uniqueness, and I have always loved folk music thanks for sharing ❤

[@fedebjalways]

I only know a few DS songs. But everyone praises them so much that I'm gonna have to check them out.

[@stusux]

Definitely have their place in rock history. Who's going to be the band that breaks theough the barrier of pop shit these days?

[@jschwartz274]

I think John Mayer is doing a good job

[@squeekyshoez7712]

Jonathan Schwartz hahaha XD

[@tobymcginn1054]

arctic monkeys?

[@zachelmquist4932]

Dire Straits songs were well written and had supreme musician ship and delivered in each decade countless times when it seemed no on else would. Thank God for Dire Straits!

[@panchosvilla]

I'm shocked that there was no mention of Communique, which I consider to be a groundbreaking album. Ah, well...

[@jimbradley7058]

That album is always overlooked. I can listen to it any day of the week.

[@quad5186]

pancho's villa Well they opened by calling them ‘The’ Dire Straits so maybe that’s a clue to how this was put together .

[@squeekyshoez7712]

So true!🤘

[@karenwoo9068]

Communique is one of my favorite albums. I love every song on it. Some favorites: Once Upon a Time in the West; Portobello Belle, Single Handed Sailor, and Follow Me Home, to name a few.

[@TomMarvan]

2:21... the picture is not the founding line up although the audio suggests it is. In the picture are Alan Clark, John, Mark and Hal Lindes.

[@edithmmota]

💃💃💃💃🇧🇷EU ❤MK 🇧🇷🇧🇷❤❤❤ É o melhor músico do planeta!! Não têm pra ninguém!!🇧🇷❤💃

[@alains.8759]

Mark est un dieu, un génie de la musique !!! God bless you Mark !!!

[@79tazman]

Sultans Of Swing is the best tune from Dire Straits with So Far Away From Me, Walk Of Life and Money For Nothing good stuff also

[@Lukas-kh5gu]

bro...you could argue Brothers in Arms, R&J, Private Investigations(! god damn, first song when testing a speaker's quality), Love over Gold, Sailing to Philadelphia. :-)

[@mtario16]

To me, "Brothers in Arms" is THE best song ever from Dire Straits. Je dirais que "Sultans Of Swing" est la 2e meilleure.

[@v4ngeloz]

wrong! lol

[@diemersonvitor1562]

😍simplesmente o melhor 🇧🇷

[@unkn0wnrge189]

Money for Nothing was the greast guitar riff in rock n roll history, second one smoke on the water.

[@anacristinabraga3451]

Não é preciso entender o que se fala pra saber que é uma bela homenagem a uma das melhores bandas de todos os tempos. DS e seus primeiros integrantes. Não sei porque Mark não foi a esta premiação. C'est domage... Mais, je les aime tous quand même. 🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸👏👏👏❤️

[@dvoradahan7950]

הפרס של חברי הDS הוא גם של מארק כי הDS זה מארק ומארק הוא הDS👑🎸💖

[@lvatvreserva2496]

Brasil 😀❤✌

[@denilsonoliveira6064]

Nóiz! Já conseguiu entender pq Mark não quis comparecer ao evento? rsrs...

[@Moondancin]

*What are your Top 2 Dire Strait songs?*

[@jimbradley7058]

1. Sultans of Swing. 2. Telegraph Road

[@Hayyden]

I get a strong Springsteen vibe from Telegraph Road... I've never heard that one, Jim! Thanks. 1. Romeo & Juliet 2. Sultans Of Swing

[@markoliver8413]

Down to the Waterline & Private Investigations...

[@twentyoneHz]

Caring Is Creepy Walk of Life and Money for Nothing

[@paulaisomura4894]

Tunnel of Love and Telegraph Road

[@stranger360th]

dire straits rocks but Mark rulez!

[@brunbjerg88]

Didn´t even mention "on every street"? An album not to forget…. Great band nevertheless!

[@jasonparsonange6120]

Dire straits are my 2nd fav band becouse pink floyd to me are the best but like them dire straits would take you on a journey music that was well written and played so modlicly marks guitar sound his own as is david gilmour both can pull at your heart string man i miss thease bands i really wish ds would get back togeather to at least a 1 off concert still can dream

[@whistlewhistleshillong2377]

John illsley, just save the Dire straits. Every one leaving the band but just illsley was there till the end

[@antoniosaccon2137]

1 setting me up 2 where do you thinkh you're going

[@hungoverdrawn]

*The* Dire Straits? Fuck's sake!

[@quad5186]

Robert Shaw Didn’t see your comment , just left a similar . Kinda sounded like a book report about the group. A C+ book report.

[@jacquesblaque7728]

What took ya?

[@letsgococo288]

Why wait 50 years to invite them for an award?!! RHOF are trash, charge everyone 10k to attend.!! Dire Straits only need their world wide fans, not a political award!

[@fractalnomics]

Jack Sonni.

[@gleydsonlopesof]

Shame day

[@ellenhayes4971]

Dire Straits definitely deserved to be in the R&R Hall if Fame. However, Mark Knopfler should have attended. I have lost some respect for him.

[@bernadetteeastlack7683]

I so agree.It wouldn't have killed him or his brother to show up to support his band mates

[@freddymiguel35]

I agree with you

[@FxnWaySheGoes]

He can do whatever he pleases. He doesnt live for awards or praise. He makes fantastic music, thats all i need.

[@freddykabulaschnitza2475]

R&R Hall of fame is a joke and has no real musical standards, why would Mark even bother to attend this superficial spectacle when he could remain at home in England doing what ever he likes? He's not in any great need to receive another piece of plastic and to share in a fraternity with many talentless acts which have diluted any credibility the R&R hall of fame may have had. Stick to your beliefs Mark and don't compromised your high standards to become another sheep. That sort of stuff means nothing.