My life in Dire Straits : the inside story of one of the biggest bands in rock history

The first, and only, inside story of one of the greatest bands in rock history—Dire Straits—as told by founder member and bassist John Illsley One of the most successful music acts of all time, Dire Straits filled stadiums around the world. Their album sold hundreds of millions of copies and their music—classics like “Sultans of Swing,” “Romeo and Juliet,” “Money for Nothing,” and “Brothers in Arms”—is still played on every continent today. There was, quite simply, no bigger band on the planet throughout the eighties. In this powerful and entertaining memoir, founding member John Illsley gives the inside track on the most successful rock band of their time. From playing gigs in the spit-and-sawdust pubs of south London, to hanging out with Bob Dylan in LA, Illsley tells the story of the band with searching honesty, soulful reflection, and wry humor. Starting with his own unlikely beginnings in Middle England, he recounts the band’s rise from humble origins to the best-known venues in the world, the working man’s clubs to Madison Square Garden, sharing gigs with wild punk bands to rocking the Live Aid stage at Wembley. And woven throughout is an intimate portrait and tribute to his great friend Mark Knopfler, the band's lead singer, songwriter, and remarkable guitarist. Tracing an idea that created a phenomenal musical legacy, an extraordinary journey of joy and pain, companionship and surprises, this is John Illsley’s life in Dire Straits. The bass player and founding member Dire Straits shares a behind-the-scenes history of the British rock band. One of the most successful music acts of all time, Dire Straits filled stadiums around the world. Their albums sold hundreds of millions of copies and their music—classics like "Sultans of Swing," "Romeo and Juliet," "Money for Nothing," and "Brothers in Arms" —is still played on every continent today. There was, quite simply, no bigger band on the planet throughout the eighties. In this powerful and entertaining memoir, founding member John Illsley gives the inside track on the most successful rock band of their time. From playing gigs in the spit-and-sawdust pubs of south London, to hanging out with Bob Dylan in LA, Illsley tells the story of the band with searching honesty, soulful reflection, and wry humor. Starting with his own unlikely beginnings in Middle England, he recounts the band's rise from humble origins to the best-known venues in the world, the working man's clubs to Madison Square Garden, sharing gigs with wild punk bands to rocking the Live Aid stage at Wembley. And woven throughout is an intimate portrait and tribute to his great friend Mark Knopfler, the band's lead singer, songwriter, and remarkable guitarist. Tracing an idea that created a phenomenal musical legacy, an extraordinary journey of joy and pain, companionship and surprises, this is John Illsley's life in Dire Straits. Praise for My Life in Dire Straits "A forensic and uplifting journey through the sheer hard work, pitfalls, and thrills of navigating a great rock and roll band to the pinnacle of success. I so enjoyed the ride! Onwards, John!" —Roger Taylor, drummer, songwriter, and founding member of Queen "Reading John Illsley's book, I relived so many moments. He captures the early days of the "English bands" and their story—the ups and downs, relationships, craziness, and fun. Of course, the music was key. This really happened!" —Mike Rutherford of Genesis "Fascinating. . . . Illsley is brutally frank about the toll that the band's fame had on his relationships, most notably his marriage ("a victim," he writes, "of my life on the road"). Fans will be mesmerized." — Publishers Weekly (starred review) With a foreword by MARK KNOPFLER 'An uplifting journey through the sheer hard work, pitfalls and thrills of navigating a great rock band to the pinnacle of success. I so enjoyed the ride!' ROGER TAYLOR __________ Dire Straits filled giant stadiums around the world and sold hundreds of millions of records. Throughout the eighties they were one of the biggest bands on the planet. Their classic songs - 'Sultans of Swing', 'Romeo and Juliet', 'Money for Nothing', 'Brothers In Arms' - formed the soundtrack of a generation and live on still racking up sales, still being played on the radio on every continent. In My Life in Dire Straits , John Illsley - founding member, bassist and mainstay - evokes the spirit of the times and tells the story of one of the great live acts of rock history. Starting with his own unlikely beginnings in Middle England, he recounts the band's rise from humble origins in London's spit-and-sawdust pubs to the best-known venues in the world, the working man's clubs to Madison Square Garden, gigging with wild punk bands to the Live Aid stage at Wembley. Until, ultimately, the shattering demands of touring on a global scale and living life in the spotlight took their inevitable toll. John's story is also a tribute to his great friend Mark Knopfler, the band's lead singer, songwriter and gifted guitarist - the only band members to stay the fifteen-year distance. Told with searching honesty, soulful reflection and wry humour, this is the first and only account of that incredible story. The First, And Only, Inside Story Of One Of The Greatest Bands In Rock History--dire Straits--as Told By Founder Member And Bassist John Illsley One Of The Most Successful Music Acts Of All Time, Dire Straits Filled Stadiums Around The World. Their Albums Sold Hundreds Of Millions Of Copies And Their Music--classics Like Sultans Of Swing, Romeo And Juliet, Money For Nothing, And Brothers In Arms--is Still Played On Every Continent Today. There Was, Quite Simply, No Bigger Band On The Planet Throughout The Eighties. In This Powerful And Entertaining Memoir, Founding Member John Illsley Gives The Inside Track On The Most Successful Rock Band Of Their Time. From Playing Gigs In The Spit-and-sawdust Pubs Of South London, To Hanging Out With Bob Dylan In La, Illsley Tells The Story Of The Band With Searching Honesty, Soulful Reflection, And Wry Humor. Starting With His Own Unlikely Beginnings In Middle England, He Recounts The Band's Rise From Humble Origins To The Best-known Venues In The World, The Working Man's Clubs To Madison Square Garden, Sharing Gigs With Wild Punk Bands To Rocking The Live Aid Stage At Wembley. And Woven Throughout Is An Intimate Portrait And Tribute To His Great Friend Mark Knopfler, The Band's Lead Singer, Songwriter, And Remarkable Guitarist. Tracing An Idea That Created A Phenomenal Musical Legacy, An Extraordinary Journey Of Joy And Pain, Companionship And Surprises, This Is John Illsley's Life In Dire Straits. Starting with his own unlikely beginnings in Middle England, John Illsley recounts the rise of Dire Straits from humble origins in London's spit-and-sawdust pubs to the best-known venues in the world, the working men's clubs to Madison Square Garden, sharing gigs with wild punk bands to the Live Aid stage at Wembley until, ultimately, the shattering demands of touring on a global scale and living life in the spotlight took their inevitable toll The founding member of one of the greatest bands in rock history, for the first time, tells the inside story of Dire Straits with searching honesty, soulful reflection and wry humor as he traces an idea that created a phenomenal musical legacy