List of Dire Straits band members

Dire Straits at the Musikhalle in Hamburg, Germany, 28 October 1978

The British rock band Dire Straits were formed in 1977 by Mark Knopfler (lead vocals and lead guitar), John Illsley (bass guitar and vocals), David Knopfler (rhythm guitar and vocals), and Pick Withers (drums and percussion). During the next two decades, band membership changed to include Alan Clark (keyboards, 1980–95), Hal Lindes (guitar and vocals, 1980–85), Terry Williams (drums, 1982–89), Guy Fletcher (keyboards, 1984–95), and Jack Sonni (guitar and vocals, 1985–88). Beginning in 1982, their touring lineup was enhanced by nine additional musicians—some of whom also appeared on Dire Straits albums. Dire Straits disbanded in 1995.

Timeline

Chronological list

Year(s)	Full-time band members	Auxiliary touring members
1977–80	Mark Knopfler – lead guitar, lead vocals John Illsley – bass guitar, backing vocals David Knopfler – rhythm guitar, backing vocals Pick Withers – drums, percussion
1980	Mark Knopfler – lead guitar, lead vocals John Illsley – bass guitar, backing vocals Pick Withers – drums, backing vocals	No tour
1980–82	Mark Knopfler – lead guitar, lead vocals John Illsley – bass guitar, backing vocals Pick Withers – drums Hal Lindes – rhythm guitar, backing vocals Alan Clark – keyboards,
1982–84	Mark Knopfler – lead guitar, lead vocals John Illsley – bass guitar, backing vocals Hal Lindes – rhythm guitar, backing vocals Alan Clark – keyboards Terry Williams – drums	Joop de Korte – percussion Mel Collins – saxophone Tommy Mandel – keyboards
1984–85	Mark Knopfler – lead guitar, lead vocals Hal Lindes – rhythm guitar, backing vocals John Illsley – bass guitar, backing vocals Alan Clark – keyboards Guy Fletcher – synthesizer, backing vocals Terry Williams – drums	No tour
1985–88	Mark Knopfler – lead guitar, lead vocals Jack Sonni – rhythm guitar, backing vocals John Illsley – bass guitar, backing vocals Alan Clark – keyboards Guy Fletcher – synthesizer, backing vocals Terry Williams – drums	Chris White – saxophone, percussion, backing vocals Joop de Korte – percussion (1985–1986)
1988–89	Mark Knopfler – lead guitar, lead vocals John Illsley – bass guitar, backing vocals Alan Clark – keyboard Guy Fletcher – synthesizer, backing vocals Terry Williams – drums	Chris White – saxophone, percussion, backing vocals Eric Clapton – guitar
1989–91	Mark Knopfler – lead guitar, lead vocals John Illsley – bass guitar, backing vocals Alan Clark – keyboards Guy Fletcher – synthesizer, backing vocals	No tour
1991–92	Mark Knopfler – lead guitar, lead vocals John Illsley – bass guitar, backing vocals Alan Clark – keyboards Guy Fletcher – synthesizer, backing vocals	Chris White – saxophone, percussion, backing vocals Chris Whitten – drums, percussion Phil Palmer – guitar, backing vocals Paul Franklin – pedal steel guitar Danny Cummings – percussion
1993–95	Mark Knopfler – lead guitar, lead vocals John Illsley – bass guitar, backing vocals Alan Clark – keyboards Guy Fletcher – synthesizer, backing vocals	No tour

Members

• Mark Knopfler – lead guitar, lead vocals (1977–95)
• John Illsley – bass guitar, backing vocals (1977–95)
• David Knopfler – rhythm guitar, backing vocals (1977–80)
• Pick Withers – drums, percussion (1977–82)
• Alan Clark – keyboards (1980–95)
• Hal Lindes – rhythm guitar, backing vocals (1980–85)
• Terry Williams – drums (1982–89)
• Guy Fletcher – keyboards, backing vocals (1984–95)
• Jack Sonni – rhythm guitar, backing vocals (1985–88)

External links

• Dire Straits at Discogs