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 Rick

 Withers (drums 

and percussion). 

The band became one of the world's best selling music artists with records sales 

of over 100 million.

Their first hit single "Sultans Of Swing", from their self-titled debut album

reached 

the top ten in the UK and US charts in 1978. 

They released hit singles in the 1980s, such as "Private Investigations" (1983), 

"Money For Nothing" (1985), and "Walk Of Life" (1985). 

Their most commercially successful album was Brothers In Arms (1985), which 

has sold more than 30 million copies and was the first album to sell a million 

copies on the compact disc (CD) format. 

Dire Straits' sound was drawn from a variety of musical influences, 

including jazz, folk and country, though mainly from the blues-rock of J. J. Cale 

Their stripped-down sound contrasted with punk rock and demonstrated a roots

 rock influence that emerged from pub rock. 

Many of Dire Straits' compositions were melancholic.

According to the Guinness Book of Rock Records, Dire Straits have spent 

over 1,100 weeks on the UK albums chart, ranking fifth all-time. 

Brothers in Arms is the eigth-best-selling-album in UK chart history. 

Their career spanned 15 years. 

They split in 1988, reformed in 1991, and disbanded again in 1995 after Mark 

Knopfler launched his solo career full-time. 

There were several changes in personnel over both periods, with Mark Knopfler 

and Illsley the only members who remained throughout the band's career. 

Dire Straits won four Grammy Awards three Brit Awards (Best British

 Group twice), two MTV Video Music Awards and various other music 

awards.

The band were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame in 2018.

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