WE’RE SHOOK BY THIS Dire Straits - Sultans Of Swing (Alchemy Live) Performance!

[@martinl8574]

You can afford to look goofy when you are when one of the greatest guitar players on earth!!!

[@RickyFulcher]

fact

[@jussiuutaniemi3767]

What's wrong with his look?

[@Tass...]

The greatest

[@KevinPierce-pu4bd]

I wonder what they would make of Shane Mc gowan of the pogues. 🤣

[@VoodooMcVee]

Yeah, give the man a break, he probably came right from the tennis court and only had time to quickly get his blazer on.

[@chance3052]

You guys just witnessed one of the greatest guitar players of all time..

[@SilverHolland]

It's really more like 6-stringed vocals.

[@andrewchristou2857]

The drummer Terry Williams makes this particular version absolute fire 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥💯

[@shard841]

Best Drummer Mark has worked with.

[@phillipwilliams4966]

His dad was there hearing his son playing with band for the first time.

[@dezmodium]

@@phillipwilliams4966 really? imagine the pride seeing your son absolute go off like this live in front of all those people.

[@johnn5738]

His father wasn't there and he'd seen him play hundreds of times. Why keep perpetuating this myth.

[@stephenwhite345]

​@@dezmodiumfairy story, his dad had seen him play with Dave Edmunds group many moons before this performance. His dad got him a drum kit when terry was 13. This performance is fantastic without the need for more fantasy

[@derekhollis197]

Simply put…one of the greatest performances by a band of all time!!!

[@timbrom]

I was there that night. Loved Dire Straits, but had no idea just how good they could be. Still wowing 40+ years later.

[@johnathanstruble1064]

They took the drum kit off the stage on a stretcher in critical condition after this performance...thankfully it pulled through. 😂❤

[@JosephHuntelvisnspiders]

😂

[@waynekeoghan3584]

Class

[@JoWilks]

😂👏👏👏

[@suzannehudson1488]

😂😂😂

[@davidcarroll5389]

te he he

[@leahmollytheblindcatnordee3586]

You take one master song writer with his unique guitar technique, great vocals and unbelievable ability to make his guitar sing, combine it with a great out of control drummer, two fantastic guitarist, two keyboarders who play multiple instruments at the same time and you get a song that people are still enjoying it 40+ years later.

[@JoWilks]

John Illsley on bass was fantastic as well!

[@markvonesch6030]

Been listening to music for a long time and this has to be one of the greatest live performances I have ever heard. Truly remarkable

[@spursgog835]

One the most talented bands from the UK 🤘🇬🇧

[@grubengeist]

THE GOAT

[@ugadawgs1990]

From the same concert, Telegraph Road is even better. Mark Knopfler tells amazing stories in verse and with the guitar. Love y’all, Merry Christmas, and praise to the Lamb!

[@JosephHuntelvisnspiders]

❤

[@Bill-yu1hc]

Disagree, telegraph road being "better." 2 different songs, 2 different scores. This one is "better." Telegraph road is a close second, and a different story setting.

[@JosephHuntelvisnspiders]

@@Bill-yu1hc TR beats SS story wise for me. Wiki: - Knopfler was inspired to write the song while riding in the front of the tour bus, which made the journey down Telegraph Road. At the same time, Knopfler was reading the novel Growth of the Soil by the Nobel Prize winning Norwegian author Knut Hamsun and he was inspired to put the two together and write a song about the beginning of the development along Telegraph Road and the changes over the ensuing decades.

[@lindsaymac01]

One of the greatest live performances of all time. Hugely talented group having a whole bunch of fun.

[@Thescottishguyreacts]

You just know when you’ve witnessed greatness

[@marlew6629]

not sure they know what greatness is when it comes to dire straits

[@jmmyky]

Fun Fact: Mark doesn't use a guitar pick when playing and singing. He uses his Thumb,Index and Middle Finger to pick the strings. It's not a easy technique to master. 😂🎸🎶

[@Monsterdrumma]

I neber knew about this version! In the 80’s in hind sight most look goofy but I like that everyone was unique back then and they had to be talented for the most part! The drummer was mouthing the drumming accents lol!

[@JosephHuntelvisnspiders]

@@MonsterdrummaIt's looks more like he's mouthing the guitar accents?, if it's the same part I'm thinking of.

[@williamjones6031]

Best concert video clip EVER What I love about this clip is how much fun they're having. Making a living like that wouldn't suck.🤑🤑🤑🤑 Shout out to the production crew. The filmography of this LIVE concert is incredible.🤩🤩🤩🤩

[@Isleofskye]

Now for their encore that night "Telegraph Road". Another fantastic performance by DS. Another fantastic LIVE performance "Pink Floyd: Comfortably Numb @ PULSE" GARY MOORE: 1/ " Parisienne Walkway at Montreux" and 2/ "Still Got The Blues For You in Paris" ENJOY..

[@BigAl53750]

What I love about this performance, is how Mark Knopfler isn't selfish about the lead breaks and hands off to the rythym guitarist without any trouble at all. In fact, every member of the band gets to shine in almost every song they do. The fact that they are all HAVING FUN as they play this is so obvious and infectious, it makes this video one of the most watched and loved music videos on the Net.Mark started wearing headbands because the heat from the lights made him sweat and the headbands stopped the sweat running down into his eyes. Dire Straits Alchemy videos are among the best live performance videos you'll ever see.

[@JoWilks]

They are my favorite!

[@skzcnt]

Definitely agree. This performance of Sultans is the best live one of all time in my opinion only rivalled by Bob Dylan's live version of One More Cup Of Coffee (in my opinion!)

[@rodandchance]

The rhythm guitar player is Mark's brother.

[@skzcnt]

@@rodandchance This isn't Mark's brother, he left the band in 1980. This is a guy called Hal Lindes.

[@arnoldcox9128]

One of the all time great live performances

[@Chase-eq2mg]

Telegraph Road same concert. A must watch.

[@christinehoughton8591]

Definitely

[@dusty4835]

Some consider this the best video ever, while others consider it second to none. :)

[@brigittereimprecht8334]

This concert was awesome. Terry on drums was awesome (for me the best drummer they had) Check out more “Telegraph Road” and definitely Live Wembley “Tunnel of Love” what an outro

[@darcyfam5]

Mark Knopfler is one of the best guitarists of all time and Terry Williams gave a performance of a life time on drums!

[@paulkirk6989]

Up with the best composers/musicians of all time .

[@randyshort9651]

One of the top 5 best guitar players in the world

[@clivethewritermadenglishma4042]

The drummers father was in the audience and saw his son play professionally for the first time. Mark is rated as one the best guitarists ever. His finger picking technique was unique for the time and earned him acclaim from across the musical world. His brother was also in the band he was the blond haired guy in this video.

[@Pokafalva]

His brother had left the band by the time of this performance. The guitarist is Hal Lindes...

[@clivethewritermadenglishma4042]

@@Pokafalva Thank you for the info. I'd always believed it was his younger brother.

[@johnn5738]

Terry's father wasn't there, it's a myth

[@clivethewritermadenglishma4042]

@@johnn5738 Please give me more info as I've always been told his dad was in the audience.

[@rodbrown7519]

Marks brother David left the band during the making of the Making Movies album. They’ve never spoken since. That is Hal Lindes a brilliant American guitarist

[@andreguerreiro2812]

This is the best live music perfomance I've ever seen

[@stephenelliott8927]

It’s beyond words folks. I said that to my best ever military mates in 1980 😂😂

[@GravediggerXL]

The Drummer is inredible, Mark Knopfler of course too. THIS IS MUSIC!

[@LBinsocal]

one of the top 5 , live Rock Performances of all time!

[@darkpitcher5242]

This song is a story about how while living in South London Mark Knopfler went into a pub "to get out of the rain". There was a swing band playing and they weren't very good at the end of the evening, ( a time bell is rung in pubs to announce that drinks will no longer be served) The band leader announced the they were " The Sultans of Swing".

[@e9v-x6e]

Thanks for covering this song and one of the greatest live performances of all time. Enjoyed your reaction very much.

[@jeffwooten5205]

Thanks for this...haven't heard this in a long time. BTW that drummer is awesome!

[@SebastianSmith-c5t]

Terry Williams is an underrated drummer.

[@barbarabisson2551]

He's smooth...has swag. That's not a jam, that's practiced over & over for precision.

[@maruka1716]

Mark Knopfler (the one in red with the headband) is 75 years old (as of December 2024) and still working. In fact, he's nominated for a Grammy in the latest batch, for a song from his newest album that came out in April 2024. Besides being the lead singer and an amazing guitarist, he also wrote all the songs on the 6 Dire Straits albums, plus his 10 solo albums after that and a bunch of movie scores. He owns a recording studio in London, and he recently did a show for British TV with Brian Johnson of AC/DC. He gave up the headbands when he finally cut his hair short, and he doesn't have much hair at all anymore, but he still has the same smile.

[@gregg9877]

He was the definition of cool.

[@maruka1716]

@@gregg9877 Still is, for certain definitions of old guy in a hat cool.

[@eturfrey]

1983 Mark Knopfler, Lead guitar Hal Lindes, Rhythm guitar John Illsey, Bass guitar Terry Williams, Drums Alan Clark, Keys additional keys, Tommy Mandel. (Guest)

[@Odipodi]

The lead guitarist from fleetwood Mac and eddie vanhalen were totally in this era, and the ability to make a stratocaster an extension of their bodies!!!

[@dougmphilly]

Gibson had a cleaner sound but a strat could sing

[@michaelgrantham125]

Romeo and Juliet is one of the greatest songs ever written. And the performance of it at this concert is the most besutiful thing youll ever see.

[@mikejenkinson3477]

The song is about one time when the lead singer went into a n English pub and there was a dreary pub band playing a gig there, and they introduced themselves as The Sultans Of Swing!!! And on of the all time greatest hits was born!!!

[@susanroe3367]

Masters of their craft! Hands down!

[@janfitzgerald3615]

Head bands, etc were common in the late 70’s early 80’s. Mark Knopfler said in an interview that his actually had a function, it prevented sweat from getting in his eyes when performing.

[@dianemiller3040]

I knew you guys were in for a treat! Great reaction. Love you guys! Merry Christmas!

[@miyakegaijin]

Dire Straits are inspired by the ordinary. They walked into a dingy bar late at night and an old folks bar band closed their set by telling the 3 customers at the bar, ‘we are the sultan’s of swing’ ‘Money for Nothing’ was Mark knoppler listening to employees complain about Rock stars earning a lot of money. The lyrics are almost verbatim of what the department store employees were complaining about. Yes Dire Straits style is that the singers voice doesn’t sing. It is his guitar that is singing.

[@ivecamperbuild_thomas4084]

I was lucky to of been in the audience that night the 23 rd December it was even better live even the 5 hour drive home was all worth it

[@bolkaballs]

Brilliant man how lucky

[@brianfagan3367]

One of the greatest live performances imo.Others worth checking out.Queen at live aid Procul Harum live in Denmark and Phil Collins in the air tonight live

[@musicairplanes4884]

Back in the day if you loved a band on album you were going to get a great live performance. Gave them a chance to show their musicianship.

[@antonklekar9086]

Now give yourselves a Christmas and New Year treat by listening to Telegraph Road and Tunnel of Love off the same live album. Then listen to Water of Love off their first album, the eponymous Dire Straits, and the beautiful acoustic masterpiece called Wild Theme from the album Going Home - all written and played by the guitar master Mark Knoplfer

[@tyanneharmon6789]

A lot of people are unaware that Mark Knopfler scored The Princess Bride.

[@fatimaemiko7073]

THE BEST EVER...I LOVE THEM !

[@joonashannila8751]

Man music used to be waaaay larger than life, than it is now. There was no KZbins, internet to just get it from or anything like that. Like I can't even explain it what it meant for people.. You can still catch that feeling from some of these old videos.

[@TedStevenson-i1r]

Different drummer than the original studio version. Much more pace in this one makes it so much better.

[@dougmphilly]

Pick withers was a great drummer as well. But he was a metronome.

[@bolkaballs]

He was indeed hadn't long to learn the tunes properly before playing and how good did he do stole it terry did

[@EarthWalker2023]

Absolutely 💯 fire

[@barbbeliveau-b9l]

Money for Nothing is the song about workers in a store watching rock musicians on tv

[@rickc661]

Live concert is the way to go.

[@raydoyle40]

Knopfler is in a wibbly wobbly league of his own that’s not music it’s a mind blowing experience

[@dianemiller3040]

Great Reaction!!!

[@danielkunzmann1587]

That fuckin' drums OMG

[@BertSmithLondon]

Just another brilliant British Band.

[@yannou568]

Terry Williams est une vraie brute. Respect.

[@jamesdossor4838]

You got it. It’s awesome jamming and we dint see that much these days.

[@tonytodaro5431]

Jesus I wanna be there! Fn outstanding performance!! Jesus

[@Ivantheterrible4444]

I hope you realize that you just watched one of the best life performances in history without technology help as we are talking 41 years ago. Pure genius not for your ears I think

[@steve-pm9nf]

The singer Mark Knopler is left handed, And learned how to play right handed.And he dont use a pick

[@bucdaddy5644]

I am so fortunate that I grew up in the 70s and 80s listening to awesome music. No cell phones outside activities just the best.

[@christianburk7309]

In case anyone was wondering the answer is yes God disguised himself as mark knopfler for this song.

[@DannyMarshall-z4o]

Excellent job Always live or video 50s threw 80s 😂

[@73henny]

The guy clearly isn't ready yet for the brilliance that is Dire Straits.

[@peterlovage3167]

This came out 40 years Ago were were these people. Marooned on a island somewhere. 🙄This is a masterpiece. Cant believe they have Onley just heard This.😮😮😮😳

[@robbob5302]

The studio version of this song has better audio, and you can understand the words more clearly. But this version has that epic guitar solo at the end. So I like it better.

[@joer8432]

I like this one better too. If you know the song you already know the words. 👍

[@susanroe3367]

Rock solid!

[@suzannehudson1488]

Solid rock!

[@thomastimlin1724]

Makes Hendrix look like an amatuer. He plays so fast yet so lyrical and melodic. With feeling.

[@cyndi.K9090]

And with his bare hands. No pick.

[@AlSnoopsReid]

I'd have to agree there my friend. There is one, virtually unknown lead guitarist here in the UK who has a fair bit of skill and if you're into lead guitar, search this, "Possibly the greatest guitar solo I have ever heard", and click on the very first video. His name is Chris Buck and he's from Wales, when this video was made he was playing with "Buck and Evans", but nowadays he plays in "Cardinal Black". If you enjoy good music try searching this "Cardinal Black - I'm Ready(one Mic, one take)". Let me know what your thoughts are please. Btw, Slash(Guns N' Roses) invited Chris up on stage to play along with him at one concert.

[@caemaridwn]

​You should get it straight one of the sound men for slash turned the volume down on Chris. Scared out of his skin he was. All in the best of taste of course.​@@AlSnoopsReid

[@lauraheim8381]

Tightest band EVER!!

[@suzannehudson1488]

They're so tight!! Timing perfection. They are so good, they mess around with timing, like in Romeo and Juliet.

[@isaacvanwart-i2v]

Thank you so much not only your insightful reactions, but also for letting the world know that Christ is our Lord and Savior.

[@adeleheywood7454]

😂😂😂

[@Odipodi]

He was a master! And I'm looking at the black dude here.........he probably thinks...how can i turn this into a rap song!!???😂😂😂😂😂

[@echopryme]

It's fucking insane. 💯😎

[@Isleofskye]

YOU ARE NOW READY for their encore at this same Gig "Telegraph Road" ...."Dire Straits=ALCHEMY: Telegraph Road". ENJOY😀

[@danrobin3027]

That goofy guy in the red, thats Mark Knoffler. You should check out "Telegraph Road live at Sevilla " This is somewhat recent, Mark has grey hair and not so skinny😂 but his guitar skills are just amazing. I'd love to see you guys do a reaction on that.😊

[@doctorteethomega]

After Prince at the Superbowl, this is my favorite live performance. Stevie Wonder with Daft Punk probably ties. Damn, so does Peter Frampton Do you Feel Like I do. I like a lot of music.

[@steveboyes2090]

The drummers dad was in the audience, the first time he came to see them. He was a little too excited and dropped the beat quite a bit faster than they’ve ever done it. Mark just said F it let’s go!! And away they went.

[@MarkwilliamLawrence]

They also write for Tina turner Private dancer was penned by mark Knopfler fir Tina

[@TheNotedHero]

The song "Telegraph Road" from the same concert is beautiful.

[@2460welshguards]

Nothing better than hearing Americans say they don’t understand English 😂😂

[@fforw]

The head band stuff was *really* in fashion back in 1984.

[@timcastle9491]

THE greatest ever an that's a FACT

[@greglambert2928]

Did you notice the guy playing bass wasn't wearing shoes ? He played a lot of times barefooted.

[@SilverHolland]

Homage to a gig by a below average swing band, one of the most loved rock songs of all time.

[@williamprice2677]

Not one of, but THEE greatest performance in the secular domain period! If this isn't numeral uno, then please tell us what is...

[@JohnTaylor-cc6tm]

Go look at Telegraph Road - same gig. 1983.

[@_eclipz_]

these cats.... goddam lol, seen this quite a few times and never gets old haha

[@stephenpresley5772]

Great song and reaction

[@lanabillingsley7514]

This is real music!!! Not the crap you hear today.

[@pud2.trade6]

It's WE ARE SHAKEN BY. You're in the wrong tense folks, but I agree !!!!

[@glassontherocks]

If you think they look weird look at what's out there now.

[@markbrooks8144]

"Money for Nothing" was the MTV song you mentioned.

[@rickgleitsmann7847]

Mark Knopfler is a guitarist's guitarist and no band is tighter than DS.

[@guitarman8462]

Check out - Hendrix live at the filmore "" Machine Gun " 🎸 👍 👍 👍

[@heisenberg69]

Goofy, sweat bands? So sayeth the man wearing a winter hat indoors, which I'm sure no one will comment on in another 40 years... The sweat bands, both on his head and on his wrists, actually served a purpose. Back in those days (1983) the stage light was super hot, they were bathing in 100 kW of heat. You don't want sweat dripping down on your guitar if you're gonna perform some of the best guitar solos of the day. Anyway, you were asking what Terry Williams, the drummer, said in that close up? You may not notice if you don't pay attention, but Mark Knopfler is all about perfection, and he conducts his band very strictly but yet in subtle ways. After that solo of his (was it 2nd or 3rd?) he just turned to Terry letting him know to start outro that section, which they had rehearsed. So Terry simply starts to mimic the guitar of Mark to know where he's at. If you look for it, you will find lots of places where he conducts with a glance, facing someone or turns to them. Mark Knopfler is among the top 5 guitarists of all time for many people, you don't get there by being sloppy. Nice to see young people listen to, and apparently like, the music I grew up with. Thanks!

[@astrodoops]

Hey Cameron Diaz! Didn’t know you became a KZbin reactor!

[@justanotherSonofMan]

You guys checked out Wild West End by the Straits yet? ..Or change the scene, toby..mood..on English (Brit' bands)..We got thousands ..try 10cc's Dreadlock Holiday ..Or 'Rubber Bullets ' and the rest and start going through more of our genre's..LOOOOOOADS to choose from .

[@kimcassidy]

And back in the day it didn't look goofy!!!!

[@sibbo-v6n]

can you ask the gent to move the mike away from his mouth when he speaks as when he did i understood what he was saying and it was good to hear but when he covered his mouth with the mike it was a garbled noise. when people are not oil paintings they should refrain from comments such as Goofy.

[@jongarratt5383]

Try "Sailing To Philidelphia"..... Mark Knopfler ( Dire Strights) and James Taylor

[@nickbradbury347]

I think you meant “When musical geniuses jam.”