Dire Straits
Dire Straits were a British rock band formed in London in 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). They were active from 1977 to 1988 and again from 1990 to 1995.
Their first single, "Sultans of Swing", from their 1978 self-titled debut album, reached the top ten in the UK and US charts. It was followed by hit singles including "Romeo and Juliet" (1981), "Private Investigations" (1982), "Twisting by the Pool" (1983), "Money for Nothing" (1985), and "Walk of Life" (1985). Their most commercially successful album, Brothers in Arms (1985), has sold more than 30 million copies; it was the first album to sell a million copies on compact disc and is the eighth-bestselling album in UK history. According to the Guinness Book of British Hit Albums, Dire Straits have spent over 1,100 weeks on the UK albums chart, the fifth most of all time.
Dire Straits' sound draws from various influences, including country, folk, the blues rock of J. J. Cale, and jazz. Their stripped-down sound contrasted with punk rock and demonstrated a roots rock influence that emerged from pub rock. There were several changes in personnel, with Mark Knopfler and Illsley being the only members who lasted from the beginning of the band's existence to the end. After their first breakup in 1988, Knopfler told Rolling Stone: "A lot of press reports were saying we were the biggest band in the world. There's not an accent then on the music, there's an accent on popularity. I needed a rest." They disbanded for good in 1995, after which Knopfler launched a solo career full-time. He has since declined numerous reunion offers.
Dire Straits were called "the biggest British rock band of the 80s" by Classic Rock magazine; their 1985–1986 world tour, which included a performance at Live Aid in July 1985, set a record in Australasia. Their final world tour from 1991 to 1992 sold 7.1 million tickets. Dire Straits won four Grammy Awards, three Brit Awards (Best British Group twice), two MTV Video Music Awards, and various other awards. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2018. Dire Straits have sold over 120 million units worldwide, including 51.4 million certified units, making them one of the best-selling music artists
Dire Straits MIDI KARAOKE FILES (HERE)
- Dire Straits - Brothers In Arms (5:07)
- Dire Straits - Calling Elvis (4:51)
- Dire Straits - Down To The Waterline (3:44)
- Dire Straits - Heavy Fuel (4:25)
- Dire Straits - Lady Writer (3:26)
- Dire Straits - Love Over Gold (5:43)
- Dire Straits - Money For Nothing (6:21)
- Dire Straits - News (4:12)
- Dire Straits - On Every Street (4:55)
- Dire Straits - Planet Of New Oleans (7:53)
- Dire Straits - Private Investigations (5:44)
- Dire Straits - Romeo And Juliet (5:58)
- Dire Straits - Six Blade Knife (4:08)
- Dire Straits - So Far Away (3:51)
- Dire Straits - Sultans Of Swing 1 (3:43)
- Dire Straits - Sultans Of Swing 2 (6:03)
- Dire Straits - Telegraph Road (13:56)
- Dire Straits - The Bug (3:52)
- Dire Straits - The Man's Too Strong (4:29)
- Dire Straits - Ticket To Heaven (4:22)
- Dire Straits - Tunnel Of Love 1 (5:34)
- Dire Straits - Tunnel Of Love 2 (8:07)
- Dire Straits - Walk Of Life (4:01)
- Dire Straits - Water Of Love (5:24)
- Dire Straits - Why Worry (3:52)
- Dire Straits - You And Your Friend (6:23)
- Dire Straits - Your Latest Trick (6:31)
MIDI FILE
- Dire Straits - Angel Of Mercy [solo] (0:48)
- Dire Straits - Expresso Love (5:09)
- Dire Straits - How Long [demo] (1:06)
- Dire Straits - Industrial Disease [demo] (0:34)
- Dire Straits - Iron Hand (2:58)
- Dire Straits - Lions [demo] (0:44)
- Dire Straits - Once Upon A Time In The West (3:09)
- Dire Straits - Portobello Belle (4:14)
- Dire Straits - Romeo & Juliet (live) (6:10)
- Dire Straits - Setting Me Up [intro] (0:43)
- Dire Straits - Single Handed Sailor (4:41)
- Dire Straits - Solid Rock (3:16)
- Dire Straits - Southbound Again (3:03)
- Dire Straits - Sultans Of Swing (live) (9:51)
- Dire Straits - Twisting By The Pool (3:40)
- Dire Straits - Where Do You Think You're Going (3:50)
- Dire Straits - Wild West End (4:38)
