Interview - David Knopfler on leaving Dire Straits

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John Beaudin has been in major market radio (Edmonton, Vancouver & Calgary) for 38 years and a music journalist since 1989. He graduated from Broadcasting school as a newsman so he would have the skills to write about the artists that inspired him since he bought his first Elton John album as a teen. In the '80s Beaudin was the host of the syndicated radio show ‚”The Cross Canada Report‚” which had two versions (Rock and A/C). Beaudin was also asked to be a judge at the Juno Awards (Canada's answer to the Grammys) Twice. He has anchored every position in radio including morning and afternoon drive and was a Program and Music Director for The Breeze and California 103 in Calgary. He currently hosts the evening show at Move 103.5 (formerly QM-FM) in Vancouver and on iHeartRadio.
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Heading West by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license () Artist: audionautix.com/

[@dangerousandy]

David is a real gentlemen. I’ve spoke with him a few times on Facebook/Messenger, and he is always polite and courteous. I regularly buy his albums direct from him.

[@hellojimmypage]

Love David, he had great presence, a crystalline tone and sense of rhythm in Straits. His solo stuff is worth checking out as well.

[@tomp.6239]

He was 1 really fine rhythm player, in my opinion. I always thought they lost alot when he left.

[@PhilBaird1]

A wonderful band while David played rhythm guitar to Mark's lead. Never liked them once he left. The music became turgid and bloated.

[@wishusknight3009]

@@PhilBaird1 It took on more of an epic storytelling vibe. Communique is probably my favorite album. Very dynamic and textured album that sounds like it explores a lot of different directions while still seemingly holding down a common theme. But I think there is something from every project that i enjoy.

[@Geotubest]

The classiest guy in music as far as I'm concerned. Intelligent, an extraordinary writer, principled.

[@jeffkaufman8489]

And Harry doesn’t mind, if he doesn’t, make the scene; he’s got a daytime job, he’s doing alright...

[@johnmclaughlin9971]

He don't give a damn about any trumpet playing band...?

[@jimbosaul3996]

@@johnmclaughlin9971 it aint what they call rock n roll @!

[@willrichardson519]

He looks comfortable with himself and his life

[@TheHumbuckerboy]

I think that I understand what David is saying here. I wouldn't want to be in a band that had such a gruelling schedule ; I would hate to lose my enthusiasm and precious love for music due to being over-worked and over-stressed !

[@chrisnope1]

Dire Straits were never the same after he'd gone. I take nothing away from Mark here- but past David's departure they lost some form of the guts of the band. Mark and David played incredibly together and the band on those first three albums are incredible.

[@ekstradycja]

One correction: David wasn't wrtiting songs for DS as that was Mark's field from the start (the famous demo recorded at Pathway Studios), perhaps he had some songs already in his mind but they hadn't seen the daylight and haven't been used. There's just one song (unreleased on any studio album but later on in 1995 as Live at the BBC) that was co-written by David : What's the matter with you baby. The truth is Mark and John knew exactly what they wanted and how to achieve that, Pick was doing his stuff and David was trying to keep up

[@TorToroPorco]

David is such a great writer, arranger and producer, it was inevitable he would have left to go on his own. Like Pick Withers he wanted to be more than just a session player.

[@timothymarkonis3630]

Fun for me to see this interview. I "met" David and his wife Leslie a few times on the late Scott Mckenzie's personal Facebook page a number of years ago, and they both came across as very down-to-earth, good people. Previous to that I had had the good fortune to see, and briefly meet, David in live performance at a local gig (SOhO Restaurant) in Santa Barbara. When David took the stage behind a Breedlove 12-string guitar and with his bass player accompanist Harry Bogdanovs proceeded to play his own solo material, I knew this was going to be a special night. I still have a copy of his CD Wishbones and a gratis guitar pick with Harry's name on it from that evening. RIP Phillip Blondheim (aka Scott McKenzie)

[@marymcmullen5150]

Hi David, I know you don't remember me . This video is just like you when I met you, you ask to walk me home. Home , I was working in London i n 1970. Your band invited my friends and I to go to a party. David you are still the same , a lovely person, we met as young people in London.

[@kjeldlarsen912]

Thx for the interview 👍

[@barrygiddey9139]

That's great!-Thanks John!

[@billyrossi4661]

Great interview john..😎

[@johnthrasher8146]

Terrific interview! :D

[@as-pz9ck]

David is an incredible musician. I have several of his CDs-some really great stuff. I heard he had a Patreon, but haven't subscribed yet. The Patreon is suppose to be really good, he chats with his patrons.

[@ruffian1868]

Davis is such a fantastic musician, and great to see him talking about his music. It is indeed very sad that the rift between he and Mark continues to this day. But the rift didn't start and end in 1980 during the Making Movies session, as Mark is on David's first solo album "Release" in 1983 (he plays on "Madonna's Daughter" and is onstage with David in 1984 at the San Remo festival. kzbin.info/www/bejne/mnfVeIKambOalbs That must have been around the time he sh*t really hit the fan ? Anyway.......it's about time we got a "Knopfler Brothers (in arms)" album ! Life's too short :)

[@BrandOdyssey]

Wow. He has recorded that much? And tours?? Never heard of him except as a member of early dire straits.

[@ALong-fo5so]

The best Dire Straits version was the one with Pick Withers and David on it. Didnt sound the same when they left.

[@nathaniel8422]

dont be naive. Dire Straits sounded well after that too. Next two albums were great. I think their last album fall short of first 5 albums. Mark is simple talented and they together produced great music

[@johnmclaughlin9971]

Disagree, @nathaniel8422, the first album is a masterpiece, the others are very good, but, increasingly, a little contrived and over produced. Industrial Disease is just a shit song all round, as is that crap MTV one, as are most of the songs on Love Over Gold in fact, except for Telegraph Road and Private Investigations, both of which are a little bit over-bloated. I think the introduction of piano was a shame. I preferred them as a four piece guitar band. Elemental, pure, unadulterated, and unique.Thankfully, MK checked himself out eventually and got down to more rootsier stuff. The deep shame is that the brothers allowed something so dumb as music to break up their relationship; there really is no excuse for that; it's just stupid; really stupid. Family first, always, the rest is just ego, and it's up to both brothers to bridge the gap. So, shame on them both, really. A good clip round the ear would've done it. Newcastle' style, why aye, lad... Ask Gazza...

[@darinclark1853]

David clearly illustrates why Mark has been so much more successful...

[@tomphilbrook6093]

interesting comment !

[@glencampbell5201]

Keep up the good work and stay healthy Mr Knopfler.🎸

[@63mckenzie]

Curious how two sets of brothers born in Glasgow left and later started two of the biggest bands in the world : Dire Straits and AC/DC.

[@andyboyd126]

Yeah, Scotstoun, Glasgow, I believe, not far from where I stay. He went to Scotstoun primary if I'm not mistaken.

[@AndyMaherVoicePro]

My ears pricked up when he said the name Harry Bogdanovs. Harry wrote "Pressure Down", which was a hit for Australian singer John Farnham, and the first track on his massively successful Whispering Jack album of 1986.

[@lynseycstormster4689]

Mine did too, 😁 Harry also co wrote Rolling Home on John's Then Again album.

[@KRAZEEIZATION]

Ha! Did he? I have that LP! The Voice is a bona fide classic!

[@richardmurphy9006]

and he kept his hair revenge is sweet

[@albertarthurparsnips5141]

He was much like Bill Clinton, or Dennis Skinner,…a three year old boy’s hairline well into his 60s.

[@patrickmoreau7592]

I wish Dave did more to promote himself because I did not know he recorded anything since Dire Straits

[@danielfisch389]

‚Soul kissing‘ was a minor hit in the 80s. Unfortunately he hasn‘t had massive hit singles like DS. It‘s a bit like Tony Banks’ solo stuff. Great songs, but they didn‘t become big hits like Collins‘ or Rutherford’s solo stuff

[@ericcampbell6370]

David has made a lot of good music. I highly recommend The Giver and Small Mercies.

[@ivorykhan159]

Love you, David!!

[@guitartommo2794]

Didn’t mention that Mark and DS bass John Illsley played on some tracks of David’s first album.

[@melissakhalar1842]

Interesting interview.

[@frankiefourfingers6717]

I read John illsleys’s new book this week and the touring schedule seems gruelling for years not months. Both Mark and John marriages failed because of long tours . David just didn’t want this which was his choice and understandable.

[@naturalrestingface4909]

Music and politics do not harmonize. It does appear that MK does not seem liked by people close to him. He is an incredibly talented guitarist but maybe that's the trade off at the Crossroads?

[@ekstradycja]

Not entirely. Just listen to what John Illsley says on Mark ( starts at around 10:55), totally different view. But anyway what David says about was back then. All of those great musicians working with Mark nowadays (since 1995/1996) or even much earlier like Guy Fletcher) are in a really good relationship with him kzbin.info/www/bejne/sKO9c3qsfqqWkLM

[@kylethedalek]

Have any of them got political? People with sense leave it out.

[@edgreen8140]

They have cousins who don't know each other. I'd like david to get the credit he deserves.

[@bryede]

David is a very nice guy and he's personally responded to my emails in the past. I know the whole rift with Mark was pretty hard on him.

[@mikearkous8379]

What was the whole rift?

[@mike9913]

@@mikearkous8379 David resented DS becoming a dictatorship rather than a democracy which was the case while they were clubbing. Common problem. Regardless of the fact that Mark wrote the material, there was an illusion of equality. Mark let him know bluntly and disrespectfully that it was his band and David was immaterial. Now...bend over. 😉

[@elceenomoun8115]

@@mike9913, I get the feeling that they had some of the same issues as the Eagles. Someone has to take the lead and make decisions about the music, tours, album artwork, etc. If they don't control the brand the record label will. Joe Walsh loved having someone else make decisions so he didn't need to. But for David and Mark, I've heard that they don't speak, which I hope they manage to mend someday. It seems like I recall Mark didn't really like playing rock, but the label insisted. By the end of the last tour, everyone was burned out and sick of everything. I wish things hadn't ended so harshly, but I truly understand how everyone felt the way they did. Great music though. David seems like a great guy. Hope he's finding happiness in his music. Same for the others. They're all really talented musicians.

[@humanbeing2420]

@@mike9913 Wow - I can understand why they're estranged. It's bad enough that Mark said those things to his brother, but to sexually assault him on top of that is really terrible. I doubt I'd want to continue being his bandmate after that.

[@mike9913]

@@humanbeing2420 Who said anything about sexual assault?

[@HempsteadGaz]

Melvin Duffy! Also member of the epic band First Aid Kit. Superlative pedal Steel guitarist.

[@thomaslazo4111]

First Aid Kit is a great band for any fans of the straits or either knopfler

[@hhattingh]

How easy we forget to take time and small breaks, while burning the candle on both ends. Once you pass that point of exhaustion, what was once a passion can easily become a ordeal.

[@Twinkie1960]

this iz scary 🙀....i waz just thinkin hourz before this....wouldnt it be garate to see an interview with david since we are gettin some scoop from pic...

[@ClarkeDurrant-ti3uk]

What a nice guy always wondered what happened to him

[@chomusic]

Still got the cheekbones!

[@RJ4960]

Nice guy.

[@chokkan7]

I loved the initial incarnation of Dire Straits, and it's sad to see that there was actually so much strife involved, but while I appreciate the contributions of all involved (Pick was an awesome drummer), Mark was the driving creative force behind all of it. Everyone who stayed on board was extremely well compensated; really...what's the beef?

[@zodiacbluesbaby]

The number of bands who'd have stayed together if they'd just had a couple of months off

[@apolloc.vermouth5672]

Is it my imagination, or did I hear several short, high-pitched farts during this interview?

[@Kingcarparpeggio]

No, you didn’t imagine it, I’ve heard at least two and it’s not finished yet. I think they both done one each.Unless Jack Vale is behind the scenes.😂😂

[@hanifjones4914]

Do they talk to eachother? I sure hope so

[@tonyk501]

Apparently no, except for family weddings and funerals. Their older sister Ruth passed away in July 2020, so that may have been the most recent moment in many years where the two brothers might have found themselves in the same room possibly having an actual conversation with one another. Unfortunate, but it likely is what it is.

[@NoName-eo2mv]

43 years of not talking is really sad

[@KRAZEEIZATION]

It was Marks band! He had his own idea and vision. There was no room for other writers. I think Dave wanted the band thing as a democracy. The fact that he spoke out at interviews about touring and recording annoyed Mark and by Making Movies Mark had played with Dylan, Steely Dan, Phil Lynott and was a big name in serious guitar circles. During the sessions Dave fell foul of Mark and there was a pow wow with Dave saying “what do you want me to play?” Mark’s reply was “I don’t give a damn. It makes no difference what you play”. Dave walked out. Mark wasn’t going to take any prisoners! Dave’s solo career has not been very successful. I bought his first few albums back in the late 80s and while the musicianship is top notch and there are some good songs they didn’t have commercial appeal. That’s showbiz! Mark Knopfler on the other hand is a great songwriter and a superb guitarist! That’s why he’s a huge success for over 40 years now! Most people don’t even know of David or his work!

[@paulopereiragouveia8958]

d.s. was mark´s band, that was and is obvious.

[@johnmclaughlin9971]

Yeah, but with great talent comes great responsibility. But who knows what happened: maybe D was a pain in the arse, or may M was, or both of them. Sad though. Funny how so many people think music brings people together. I have played in many bands and for the artists themselves sadly it is often a very destructive experience. Egos running riot, or feathers getting ruffled by the emergence of a stronger talent...

[@wotdoesthisbuttondo]

Seems like no one else wanted to keep the band going because Mark greedily made sure only he got the writing credits. Did he give the shop worker whose words he copied for Money For Nothing made him so much money anything or did he also greedily make sure not to even chuck the guy a few grand as a deserved thanks?

[@dadisgreat1]

Interesting. Must be hard being the brother of a genius. His own stuff isn’t much cop mind. No one would listen to it if it weren’t for Dire Straits.

[@mike9913]

He's not being honest...Mark was treating him badly after it became clear it was Mark's band. David wants to skirt the issue of their relationship.

[@davidgraham8299]

Yes, of course, you know better.

[@magicelliotth]

That’s fairly well known though.

[@mike9913]

@@davidgraham8299 There are documentaries on youtube where Dire Straits inside brass (management...) speak about this. You are a wise guy and I suspect a member of the Communist Party.

[@jinkertsun]

@@mike9913 even John Illsley’s recent book skirted around the issue. He knew where he was best off and favoured Marks position but I’ve never really worked out what John’s contribution was. Seemed he played what he was told and that’s it. Might be wrong, someone will know.

[@mustsilm]

@@jinkertsun Band needed a bass player and John was a bass player. Most bands had a bass player back in those days.

[@pawelpap9]

It is so sad he felt the urge to comment on things he barely understands. Not to mention they didn’t age very well within months. I have to check his recent music, I hope it is better than his political acumen.

[@athfdrizzle]

that's what I am thinking too. his reference to that issue is totally ignorant. has no idea what is really going on.

[@edwardrusk]

"Doesn't regret leaving Dire Straits"... wonder if his bank account manager would agree.... 🤔

[@legomandk9964]

There is more to life than money. 😉

[@pawelpap9]

@@legomandk9964 Really?!? Maybe health, but other than that I cannot think about much that I could enjoy and would be free.

[@Geotubest]

I've never regretted leaving a job I didn't like no matter how much it paid. I'm sure David is doing just fine.

[@Agnemons]

Being rich, in and of itself, will not make you happy. Then again being poor won't make you happy either. The fact that some rich people are happy and others not while some poor people are happy and others not tells you that the money is just a red herring. You are either a happy person or an unhappy person that happens to be rich/poor.

[@pawelpap9]

@@Agnemons written like a real poor person.

[@OttoByOgraffey]

Such a terrible job to have. People trudge to their miserable jobs everyday. Terrible jobs. Dirty jobs. Jobs that wreck their bodies. And he's complaining about playing guitar in a band. Smh

[@johnmclaughlin9971]

Clearly, you've never played in a working band. It's just a job for many musicians, and can be just as much a misery as any other job you suddenly find yourself not wanting to do. Being on stage for many people is hard work, and can take a huge hit on your mental and physical health, if things start going wrong. Take the travel, being away from home, having to sound check and then sit around for three hours in some shit dive before you go on, where there's nothing better to do but drink, or slide into drugs to help with sleep deprivation from all those cheap, loud, dirty, hotel rooms your management company dumps you in. Even very successful bands suffer very badly over the long term because of the rigours of touring schedules, and the vast amounts of money involved when they have to cancel. And the toll all this takes on their personal relationships...? It's a tricky business, and 99.9% of people fail. Actually more.

[@andypearce5537]

David was the soul of that group and Pik was the heart.

[@ekstradycja]

In what sense? Mark was the only songwriter and decision maker, the frontman and the boss. DS was just a vehicle for his songs to be honest. John knew that from day 1 and David didn't see him as the sideman after all

[@KRAZEEIZATION]

How? Mark wrote the hits, played impeccable hot licks and solos! Only for Mark, Dire Straits would not have been a success. Pick is bloody great though!

[@tdelmark]

Hmmm when I think of Dire Straits, he's the only one who comes to mind!

[@ekstradycja]

A good one. You're the funny guy

[@johntegan51]

Enjoyed the interview until I heard that 'refugee' crap.

[@rosswilson4196]

I was considering buying his new music until he got political.

[@paulcartwright2810]

Never mind you still got Ted Nugent ...lol seriously though if you judge the music your listening to on the artists political leanings you'll struggle especially if your a gun toting- MAGA trump supporter ....most musician like to been seen a decent ,humanitarian liberally minded nice guys ..even if they might not always been nice in their personal lives ...like ahem john lennon lol

[@mtc4him201]

​@@paulcartwright2810 all of that because some like to separate politics from entertainment? 🤔

[@jacobhansen6450]

DAVE KNOPFLER has pretty much spent ALL of his time as a musician and an artist being engaged in many aspects of human social issues, like environmental questions, interpersonal relations, wildlife protection and anti racism!! He has also spent much of his income in the support of various organizations, like the Amnesty international and Greenpeace, just to mention a couple of them!! Knopfler is indeed a VERY political artist, which leaves him as a VERY needed person!! Regards...me...