The Captain Meets John Illsley (Dire Straits)

[@Kai-Peter.Schellhase]

Was literally glued to the screen for this one. Dire Straits always has been, and forever will remain a big part of my life. Thanks ever so much, Lee and John!👍

[@curt6525]

Bet there's a story behind that

[@grimreaper-qh2zn]

If I can be melodramatic, Mark Knopfler and Dire Straits saved my life. In 1980 my world fell apart. I split up from my wife, my Father died, I changed jobs and had to move 100 miles away from my children. I would have lost it, except that I fell back onto the first two Straits albums. Then in October 1980 Making Movies was released. Punk meant nothing to me and my Rock and Roll hero's were from the 60's and 70's. Dire Straits (and after Mark in his solo career) gave me hope and a future.

[@paulmyfinger]

The first two are my favourites too. I haven't been through what you have but still my go to when things go bad.

[@denphillips3402]

I'm with you. I've felt that pain, though not that close together and music helped me hugely to be where I am today. It can be so underrated, as much as it is often overrated. I'll always remember the first time I heard Sultans of Swing and how I was blown away throughout the song. Music is a great healer, but many people will never understand that. 👍

[@rkreisig]

Would love to see the Captain talking to Mark Knopfler.

[@malcolmhardwick4258]

Has to happen !

[@SelmervanAlten]

And then play Sultans of Swing once more!!

[@andertons]

Me too!!

[@malcolmhardwick4258]

@@andertons Is this a warm up to whats to come ??

[@pmunkey1]

Only if he keeps interrupting him.

[@letsgococo288]

Thank you John for sticking by Mark's side during the Dire Straits era!! He is an amazing song writer, singer and guitarist, he's absolutely timeless!!

[@JimboPrague]

Oh come on. Sticking by Mark's side? Mark was his meal ticket.

[@davedavem]

I had a huge smile on my face watching John teach Lee Sultans of Swing.

[@davescott3588]

For me the ending of Tunnel of Love is the best thing they ever created its totally gorgeous .....

[@Nick-hp2ul]

Dire straits one of the greatest bands ever

[@sgmarshall3]

What I think is interesting, Dire Straits didn’t play music in the styles I usually listen to (blues and hard rock), but I absolutely LOVE them. Not just the hits, all of it. The musical talent is insane. It makes me feel so good

[@williampayne7678]

I'm a Guitarist From The South Wales Valleys I love Dire Stratis Terry Williams is my Favourite Drummer in Dire Stratis.

[@ggghhhbbnjjjbb2330]

This was a treat. John was part of something incredibly special. Some of those live performances in the 80s were about as good as it's possible to be. Nice to see that he's down to earth. Wouldn't it be great if Mark would do stuff like this. He's such a phenomenon that every snippet of throwaway playing caught on film is pure gold. Imagine if he was sitting in on this with a battered old acoustic, cutting it loose and having a laugh.

[@brianshickey]

John, I quite literally wrote about the importance of Dire Straits on my last video stating just how underrated you were as a bass player and the glue that kept everyone present. Your joy playing Alchemy was tangible and I’m so happy you’re still doing interviews like this, including your book which I just purchased yesterday. Dire Straits are easily my favourite band as you guys were capable of pulling out emotion unlike any other band. Thank you for the music you’ve given us, please stay creative and I can’t wait to read your book.

[@davidyoung8875]

When I first heard Sultans of Swing in the 70's I thought it was Bob Dylan. I thought Who is Bob's new guitar player, he's awesome. Of course it was Dire Straits and Mark Knopfler. Loved them ever since and saw them live twice. I remember so vividly John looking at me and raising his hand to get me rockin'. I know, he probably wasn't looking at me, but that's how it felt. Great show, great memories. His own music is Great!! very much in the Dire Straits kind of Mold. I love it. Fantastic interview Lee.

[@billdehey1300]

Hey John it's good to see you out. I agree with Lee. I'm 52 and Dire Straits we"re a huge part in my life, and still are!! Thank you for all the beautiful music you helped to create. Best washes

[@williamfoley4630]

Perfect afternoon listening to a man who’s modesty is amazing. Just imagine being in the studio when Brothers in Arms was being recorded. Chills up the spine stuff.

[@OneMorningInAugust]

I met John a few weeks ago in Ireland and had a lovely chat. He was a total gentleman 🥰

[@ryanseanmusicandlove]

I'm 35 yrs old now. When I was maybe 12,in the local record / cd shop my dad passed "brothers in arms" and said " you have to get this album". I'll never forget my eyes popping out of my head when I heard the guitar tone for money for nothing

[@tomcarl8021]

Me too. I remember the first time I heard it. It was on the radio here in NYC. Blew me away. Especially the build up drum solo right before the guitar kicks in. And that guitar? Holy shit.

[@ryanseanmusicandlove]

A​@@tomcarl8021exactly..the guitar intro breaks through the noise of a drummer going off to stand by itself like William Wallace on a hill. Calling for charge.😅

[@mkguitarproject]

Incredible! The simplicity John added to the Straits' sound is just invaluable. I mean, when you listen to the live version of 'You and Your Friend', the simple bass line is clearly a great part of that incredible mood. Keeping it simple isn't easy. I would like to see what he would've sounded like in the studio version of 'One World', which has one of the most incredible bass lines in Rock's history, but were played by Tony Levin in the original. Anyway, his solo album 'Beautiful You' is just fantastic. His partnership with Greg Pearle was great. Not to mention his songs 'All I Want is You', from the album 'Glass', and 'Let the River Flow', from the album 'Never Told a Soul', both featuring Mark on the guitar, which I left playing on endless loops for so many times. His music is just as great as Mark's solo work. Thanks for the incredible interview. Thank you, John, for making part of the band that has been such a great companion in so many important moments in my life. Let's bring Mark as well!

[@AndorBioletaAdv]

Man… what an interview! The bassman of the band of my all time since 1985. In that time so many young guy’s like me with 12 years age, start playng guitar because we discover two bands: Pink Floyd and Dire Straits. And that will remains forever in our hands and hearts, and giving the legacy to our children making them listen great songs with more than 10 minutes is one of our purpose in life. Thanks for this moment. Greetings from Portugal 🇵🇹 🎸

[@stugoodman7407]

Saw John in Milton Keynes. Met him after and he signed my copy of the book. A true Gent. We even had a chat about that Black Wal bass he used in the 85 Wembley gigs. Dure Straits played a big part in my decision to play the Bass and I thanked him for that! Great Guy.

[@HenryHernandez-vz4ms]

I was in Sausalito ,CA when I first heard “Sultans of Swing” and for me it was a reawakening. Great interview and my Wife will confirm my obsession with the Alchemy video of Sultans.

[@dangerousandy]

John is an absolute legend! His new album and his book are fantastic.

[@Dombennezon]

What a lovely down to earth fella he is. 👍 superb wee chat

[@Stuboy]

Telegraph Rd utter genius 🎸

[@MrSkunk1964]

fair play to Lee,,,great courage to just give it a go, respect,

[@FrancoContreras]

What a legend!!!! Thank you Andertons

[@GrahamDallas]

Such an enjoyable hour, thanks Cap.

[@humplucker2445]

Brothers in arms was the very first album (cassette) I purchased with my work money as a teenager. I still have it.

[@ovidiucostescu7543]

I have seen some interviews with the Captain now. I many time wanted to write about how much beauty he is bringing into my life. But this time I feel it was one of the best meeting ever. Captain, the playing with a rockstar, would make almost anyone shaky. I loved your playing so much. Respect for your courage, your professionalism and presence! You are the rock star today for me !

[@MrPhilbirkhead]

Thank you so much for interviewing John, he’s a very interesting and intelligent guy. Dire Straits we’re the biggest influencer for me in 1985/86 to pick up the guitar. I started listening in 85 with brothers in arms and the alchemy album and went on to collect all the albums and would listen to them round the clock. Just have enjoyed their music so much in my life and still do and all of marks solo stuff and johns and it’s great to hear all about the background to it. Great stuff Captain Lee. All the best 🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸😎

[@murratosmani6517]

What an honor playing with such a legend!

[@stimpsonjcat67]

The point about buying the whole album is valid. I have been very guilty of dismissing songs by bands I have recently found only to find that I love them when I finally listen to the whole song.

[@ericwarrington6650]

These interviews of legends are my favorite thing about Anderton's TV Capt! The gear demo's etc are best around don't get me wrong..love u guys .but these stories in music history straight from those who were there shaping the future for us all are so valuable to the history itself..we should document and retell these stories as much as possible...aside from the importance to music they're just mesmerizing and always a total learning experience...thank you for your contributions to the great archives....🤘😜🎸🎶🔥☮️♥️😁world class stuff imo and great skill shown by Cap in letting the stories unfold and gently steering the interview without stealing the thunder or derailing the subjects...nice job bro...great camera work and quality..how about a LEGENDS library of all of these interviews? 😁👊

[@BigBlueRabbit]

Anderson’s do maintain a playlist of all the interviews. I’ve found that a great jump-off point.

[@ericwarrington6650]

@@BigBlueRabbit ty my friend..

[@BigBlueRabbit]

@@ericwarrington6650 No problem. Here’s a link to the playlist in case anyone else finds it useful: kzbin.info/aero/PLQXro2VDjyIzxb1ZMHh4AbqPYCutyNhMj

[@MrTravelerX]

Lee, you played 'Sultans of Swing' with John Illsley!!! How cool is that? Who cares how good or bad of a job you did? I envy you so much. :-)😃

[@youmisterrob]

Outstanding, eternally grateful to Dire Straits for their music just brilliant thank you all.

[@johncollins5552]

John nails it, we need the musicians who want to play and we need the sales guys with the shops to sell us the 🎸 and all the rest❤great interview Captain.

[@MartinBaldock]

Me and John are from the same generation so I can identify very much with his influences and experiences of growing up through those decades. What a great band Dire Straits were too, I saw them live at Wembley Arena on the "Brothers In Arms Tour", a truly magical night

[@tomjeeves3572]

Before John went on to Dire Straits, he was working for a timber firm called Burt Boulton & Haywood in Belvedere Kent. Apparently when he gave in his notice and told them he was becoming a musician, they responded with "you could of had a good career/future with this firm"..... Little did they know. I was told this by his successor at the firm.

[@TomMarvan]

In John’s book he describes this and how he secured a top account and did very well in sales.

[@sourav2328]

Oh my 😳😳😳...thank you Andertons!

[@AllanGildea]

Superb. Thanks for this most engaging conversation.

[@tom5216]

Just watched this to the end. What an impressive guy John Illsley is. ❤

[@YummyPork]

This is probably the best way to learn Sultan's of Swing.

[@pleasantlanguage1585]

Cool jam at the end 🤩

[@christopher-miles]

woah! this was absolutely awesome... ...two exceptionally talented humans in their own right, too. freaking yeah!

[@ZappaBlues]

Had my bass out when I watched this. Never learned Sultans. Now I got the basics (somewhat) down.

[@davidwellings2783]

What a lovely, down to earth guy! 🥰🥰🎸🎸

[@masterbluesrockguitar4966]

Maybe the most underrated bass players of all time!! His notes are not only clear and to the point but their duration is just perfect. As simple as that seems, not many people can do that. Thank you for the interview!!

[@stratjed]

Guitar Stories. A documentary about Mark's guitars, hosted by John is still available on you tube. A must watch if you like Dire Straits.

[@nigelsmith721]

It's a great watch.

[@jeffreyprice773]

Nice to see you John, i followed DS since 1980, including your solo albums. Particularly Live in Provence.

[@JeffSealePhD]

When you listen to Illsley's solo work, you realize that he was critical to the creative success of Dire Straits. It totally destroys the conventional wisdom that DS was mostly Knopfler. Knopfler/Illsley are very much in the vein of Lennon/McCartney. Thank you for bringing this interview to us. Most excellent.

[@hudsonrilke]

What? That’s way over the top. Surely you don’t mean that.

[@lapelcelery42]

That doesn't seem right. Mark did write all the songs after all. John's bass playing is a huge part of the sound of the band, but the very nature of that instrument limits the influence on the output as it is bound to the drumbeat, and both are based on Mark's rhythm playing by John's own admission.

[@letsgococo288]

Mark could have hired any talented bass player to fill the role. The music was Marks words, voice and lead!

[@samiam5557]

Riveting interview John has great stories and insights. Thanks John & Lee.

[@brooksmcdonald7574]

He caught me when he said the teenage years are when we really immerse ourselves in music, and while I do agree, I fell in love with John Mayer and Days of the New when I was 4. "No Such Thing" was my favorite song, and I had no idea how much that song's lyrics would totally apply to my life 20 years later. Music is just wild lol.

[@rain-bender4712]

I think you did really well playing along to Sultans. Playing with John while everyone's watching would intimidate anyone other than a professional musician.

[@paulhutchins6019]

I had just put a brand new Pioneer component cassette player with a separate 40watt amp in my car when Sultans came out. It was the first song I ever heard on it, such memory and I'd never heard that song sound that good before. What a privilege to have John shout out the chords, I've been to band practice like that 😆

[@CharliePutz]

Just when I'm in a Dire Straits phase and reading John's book! Thanks Lee and team!

[@PavelFomenkov]

Amazing interview as always, apart from Sultans Of Cringe. But I think I won't be able to play even like that in the presence of John!

[@AWguitar2006]

😂

[@freakndo]

thanks a lot both for this amazing document!!!!....Those who grew in the 80´s never forget such big band, ...Thanks for approach little more the story of the Straits....Some people get a great laught enjoying this interviews...Thanks agasin.John, a great musician, seems better people.I love his songs...

[@danielegger6460]

What a great interview. Love the look behind the scenes of my greatest heros! On the flipside you made me feel old again (hey, I'm only in my 40s!), I used to spend many hours in the music store, listening for hours to the latest releases and carefully picking one or two CDs I liked and buying them from my carefully saved pocket money...

[@lukasbelinski1268]

john seems like a great guy and the captain seem like humble guys

[@Mateplaysguitar]

I am enjoying these interviews so much! thank you!

[@EnglishVeteran]

Class man John. Wonderful interview!

[@Doug5524]

That was bloody fantastic thank you John, and this will be on the internet for ever lucky Lee.

[@donaldfisher8556]

Lee this is amazing. I have John's book. His writing is so much his personality. He's fantastic.

[@anthonyward8587]

Fantastic guys loved it.

[@andrewgraham7659]

Thankyou John. Long time fan of Dire Straits.

[@danby8880]

I love this man

[@paulmyfinger]

My all time go to favorite band. Marks tone is the reason I learned to play. Cheers Mark. ! Can't wait to read John's book

[@JamieBulloch1]

loved it loved it,,, so much fun and delight,,, grand stuff........

[@petetiffany321]

This is a superb interview. He seems like a very nice guy. I think you are mostly right about the 80s being the end of the mega groups. There have been some pretty big country groups since then but even they don’t seem the same.

[@NeilJ894]

What an amazing guest! I wish the podcast was released at same time as the KZbin video though so I could listen at work more easily. About a 6month delay between the two. Great stuff anyway, thanks

[@markrockliff3349]

Hi, been watching this interview and so many things resonate with me , Its really great to hear about Johns way of making an album and that listening to the music in order is important , its exactly the way I listened to it in the 60s and 70s, and 80,s I also learnt be persistant with an artist, its easy to expect to like every song you hear from every new artist you hear, but like all that come along , people find their sound over time and to hear that journey you must follow them not give up after just hearing a song or two.. In my 60s now and I still find something great to add to my musical journey. love your channel, I confess tho, I do like the interviews a tad more, you do good!! dont stop!

[@DANCEDWAT]

Cheers Lee, always loved Illsley and his deliberate simplicity, remember high school jams with a friend on bass to a few Straits tracks :)

[@vincentvandervaart8019]

It is the magic to put on a record and LISTEN to it, you are listening to the musicians that put their heart and soul into it of course you are going to buy a record

[@JFK1180]

Great interview! Really enjoyed it!👊

[@TexasDoug393]

Listened to the audio version of John's book a few weeks ago. Very nicely done; very interesting. Also really enjoyed his video with Mark and Mark's six guitars over the years. Enjoyed this interview as well. I've finally gotten around to taking up the guitar seriously in the past year and want to focus on Mark's style of finger picking (like I wanted to focus on Michael Jordan's style of driving the hoop in my younger years). Even have a guitar with a capo set specifically for Romeo & Juliette. I've enjoyed hearing from John and appreciate his contribution to all that great music.

[@blueishxx]

fabulous interview thank you Anderton's

[@PeterUrbanPhoto]

Thank you!

[@andreasdavour9973]

Wonderful seeing John playing Sultans of Swing with Lee! Beautiful! What a sweet guy. I love these interviews.

[@itguy8900]

Love this stuff

[@paulparker6325]

Best interview I've seen in along time..... well done 🍻🍻🍻🍻

[@Lez325]

I have every Dire Straits album - love this band- great interview Lee

[@robjones7725]

What a lovely modest guy John is. Dire Straits were one of the first bands I really got into (along with Eagles) when I was 14. Bought the first album as soon as I heard Sultans of Swing. Bought the second album on first day of release - I was a fan. It became cool to dis Dire Straits after the mega success of Brothers in Arms but the music on that record speaks for itself and that title track is so emotive; especially for anyone who has been in the armed forces. We would hear it on the radio in Plymouth on HMS ______ and we would all just listen and listen. I'll be looking into John's solo work for sure and I always liked his bass playing in the band - understated but rock solid - "Solid Rock" - in time with the rest of the band, as a good bass player should be. Thank you Lee and John for a very enjoyable interview.

[@parfenyj]

Dire Straits has been a huge influence for me. This interview / talk did not feel like an hour, more like 10 minutes, it was so fascinating! Thank you for doing this! ... I have to say, though... one full hour and not a single mention of Telegraph Road?

[@SelmervanAlten]

The Captain doesn't mind, if he doesn't, make the scene He's got a daytime job, he's doing alright He can play the Honky Tonk like anything Savin' it up, for Friday night

[@ezerlab1]

And check out guitar stores they know all the scores Mind they in strictly into gear and They just wanna make 'em cry or sing

[@HarryFlashmanVC]

Awesome.... John is one of the greats.

[@NOMADCREATIVESOLUTIONS]

Was listening to Mark Knopfler again yesterday and the man is simply a genius, much overused word but it really applies to Mark, his playing, his lyrics, his style, his art, i believe they have made a small monument to him in Sunderland, he deserves that and more, The Catalogue of his work is a masterclass of tone and production - its a shame that Dire Straits get dismissed as all that 80s stuff which they really arent.

[@tonewoodpecker]

My first bought album ever was Alchemy 2 cassette set by Dire Straits.

[@tonewoodpecker]

First LP was Queen, The Works. First CD was Def Leppard, Hysteria. No one asked, told you anyways :D

[@cwk562]

Amazing

[@pleasantlanguage1585]

His music is fantastic..

[@MrTimdriver]

Excellent.

[@davevernon4993]

A telented guy and a decent alround chap, falls apart having being starstruck in the nicest possible way. Great post..

[@TheOligoclonalBand]

Alchemy was the album that made me want to play the guitar badly (at 5 years old). It took me a few years before I got a guitar finally, but I haven't stopped since. Alchemy is still one of the greatest live recordings of all time for me.

[@paulkennedy477]

I didn't know that Bill Nighy was in Dire Straits, what a lovely bloke.

[@GerryBlue]

Great talk, the part about money was kind of awkward but great to see a legend in the house

[@denphillips3402]

This is just brilliant.... I was round a mates house, recently and we were having a music conversation of very similar vein. This is so, so interesting, my friend and I were talking about how our early teens was what shaped and influenced us musically and how important it was to sit and listen to the whole album.... I'm going to check out John's repertoire because of this conversation you guys have done, here. Thanks so much for this thoroughly enjoyable hour 👍

[@carstenmarcussen6565]

Awesome show. Dire Straits was the reason i started to play guitar as a teen.

[@ferraridinoman]

Ha ha! Remember John and Mark coming to my office in South Woodford Essex back in 76/77 and buying (for 350 pounds) my red 61 fender Strat,(with maple fretboard) and them saying that they were playing crap clubs and playing for micky mouse money! and me saying why don't they play the British Country music scene where money was pretty good!! (My free advice, like ALL free advice, wasn't so good!) ha ha!

[@reneaceves8820]

Exceptional conversation

[@ledhendrix5054]

Granted the Punk Scene didnt last long but its influence is massive the world over with the Music and Art's

[@christianphelps6959]

Nice one Lee 😎That was cool man 👍

[@stimpsonjcat67]

Yoni Schlesinger's cover of 'Brothers' is epic. My high-water mark Straights song is 'Romeo And Juliet'

[@NintenDub]

"WAS IS THE KINDA SORT OF...Was it a musical familyyy??" 🤣😂 🤣 Gotteemm. Good job Capt.