Mark Knopfler is a super talented guitar player and writer who just keeps getting better. He should be there more than many that are already in.

Posted by Brad Lewis on Wednesday, 04/17/2013 @ 14:19pm

Dire Straits

01. Mark Knopfler (1977-1995; lead guitar, vocals)
02. David Knopfler (1977-1980; guitar, keyboards, vocals)
03. John Illsley (1977-1995; bass, vocals)
04. Pick Withers (1977-1981; drums, vocals; Magna Carta)
05. Hal Lindes (1980-1985; guitar, vocals)
06. Alan Clark (1980-1995; keyboards)
07. Terry Williams (1981-1989; drums; Love Sculpture, Man, Rockpile, Neverland Express)
08. Guy Fletcher (1983-1995; synthesizer; vocals)
09. Jack Sonni (1984-1988; guitar)

Posted by Roy on Thursday, 05/23/2013 @ 10:28am

Dire Straits will always be in my Rock and Roll Hall of Fame! The first time I heard 'Sultans of Swing' I was in my car and it came on the radio. It was 1978. I'd never heard a guitar played like that! I thought it was the most perfect RnR song I'd ever heard! It had/has the rhythm to make you get off your ass, the lyrics (with the background setting you could picture in your mind) and a vocal with a Brit rougue attitude. All of Mark's songs told a vivid, interesting story. He didn't just lay down tracks to fill an album. Dire Straits was unique and just for the quality of there music, DESERVES to be in the RnR Hall of FAme. Well, that's how I see it. AwC ~

Posted by Anita on Friday, 10/18/2013 @ 02:11am

Dire Straits should have been in the Hall of Fame years ago. If they are not inducted, then the Hall has no credibility. !00 million albums sold , biggest / best live shows for a decade, top 5 guitarist of all time (in my opinion yes, but also many others). Put them in or disband the Hall organization.

Posted by Steven Reed on Tuesday, 11/26/2013 @ 23:14pm

Dire Straits is an interesting case. On a personal level, they are one of my all time favorite bands. In my personal Top 10. BUT, as far as Rockhall induction, I am still honestly on the fence. The quality is most definitely there, and Knopfler is one of the guitar greats. But influence and innovation? I don't know how many people have been influenced by them. Maybe Knopfler guitar playing. And the innovation component, I don't see a strong case there either. They just did what they did extraordinarily well. I I can testify to the fact that in the 80's, they were one of the best live acts around.

So, interesting case where I would definitely be happy at their induction, but I also don't push them very hard and I understand why they are further back in the line than others. Yet personally, one of my favorite bands.

Posted by Dezmond on Wednesday, 11/27/2013 @ 08:44am

Too good...they shld be inducted!

Posted by Jo on Thursday, 04/3/2014 @ 08:32am

Too good...they shld be inducted!

Posted by Jo on Thursday, 04/3/2014 @ 08:33am

I think the “INFLUENCE“ thing's just an excuse!

Posted by Jo on Thursday, 04/3/2014 @ 08:34am

I think the “INFLUENCE“ thing's just an excuse!

Posted by Jo on Thursday, 04/3/2014 @ 08:35am

I think the “INFLUENCE“ thing's just an excuse!

Posted by Jo on Thursday, 04/3/2014 @ 08:35am

Too good...they shld be inducted!

Posted by Jo on Thursday, 04/3/2014 @ 08:35am

To say Dire Straits was not influential is just mind-boggling. Mark Knopfler was one of the most unique and talented rock guitarists ever. His style of play is very difficult to emulate, so maybe that is the reason for the lack of copycats . . hence a perceived "lack of influence". But when I see bands like the Kiss and Hall & Oates be inducted . . it just demonstrates how deeply flawed the process is.

Posted by Rick on Saturday, 07/19/2014 @ 12:12pm

I'm surprised Mark Knopfler and crew aren't in...or have been nominated. Dire Straits has many connections to RRHOFers and has made a positive impact on rock and roll. Think about how many people have air-guitared 'Sultans of Swing'. Or the album, Brothers in Arms? Don't forget some of their minor hits such as 'Heavy Fuel'. I hope to see them in soon as in within the next few years.

Posted by Jason Voigt wit on Tuesday, 02/24/2015 @ 20:49pm

The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame should induct Mark Knopfler and Dire Straits. Were/are they influential? Cool? Popular? The Straits' strength is in their masterful cinematic songwriting, emotive connection to the audience, and masterful musicianship. Also, if you were to survey most rock musicians, they would cite Mark Knopfler as one of their most admired musicians in the history of recorded music. Finally, no musician has contributed more to the recordings of others - in all genres - than Mark Knopfler. When anyone wants Fender chops, they call Mark. See the list of Additional Albums: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Knopfler_discography It's astonishing. No one comes close to this list of contributions. At a minimum, a Lifetime Achievement award should be granted. Additionally, Mark Knopfler's solo catalog is extraordinary. The quality of his solo compositions and recordings is the best around. If only more music listeners knew of his solo work. The judgement of radio programmers is as questionable as the judgement of The Hall. I know of no better songwriter or musician than Mark Knopfler. He should be honored accordingly.

Posted by Jason Stagman on Wednesday, 05/11/2016 @ 01:02am

I think Dire Straits may be nominated soon. Mark Knopfler is the type of musician that voters may look and think "how is this guy not in yet?" If nominated, Dire Straits may be the band that gets in immediately, like ELO.

Posted by Steve Z on Tuesday, 02/7/2017 @ 09:15am

https://www.rockhall.com/nominee/dire-straits

Dire Straits

01. Mark Knopfler (1977-1995; lead guitar, vocals)
02. David Knopfler (1977-1980; guitar, keyboards, vocals)
03. John Illsley (1977-1995; bass, vocals)
04. Pick Withers (1977-1981; drums, vocals; Magna Carta)
05. Hal Lindes (1980-1985; guitar, vocals)
06. Alan Clark (1980-1995; keyboards)
07. Terry Williams (1981-1989; drums; Love Sculpture, Man, Rockpile, Neverland Express)
08. Guy Fletcher (1983-1995; synthesizer; vocals)
09. Jack Sonni (1984-1988; guitar)

ONLY 6 OUT OF THE 9 MEMBERS OF DIRE STRAITS WILL BE INDUCTED INTO THE ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME

Dire Straits

01. Mark Knopfler (1977-1995; lead guitar, vocals)
02. David Knopfler (1977-1980; guitar, keyboards, vocals)
03. John Illsley (1977-1995; bass, vocals)
04. Pick Withers (1977-1981; drums, vocals; Magna Carta)
05. Alan Clark (1980-1995; keyboards)
06. Guy Fletcher (1983-1995; synthesizer; vocals)

Posted by Roy on Thursday, 10/5/2017 @ 09:58am

And those are the right choices in the Dire Straits situation. The ones left out, while fantastic musicians, are really hired session players used mainly for touring.

Posted by Dezmond on Thursday, 10/5/2017 @ 10:32am

I really like Dire Straits. Romeo and Juliet is a fantastic song. They have a handful of really good songs. That being said, their body of work is WAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY too thin to be in the RNRHOF. The myth of Mark Knopfler got them in. A good guitarist and seemingly a good fellow, but considering the other acts on the ballot that had a significantly greater body of work, this induction is silly.

Posted by Classic Rock on Monday, 12/18/2017 @ 22:49pm

In 1987, when Dire Straits were on hiatus, Jethro Tull came out with the "Crest of a Knave" album which contained songs that mimicked the Dire Straits sound, most notably "Farm On The Freeway" and "Budapest" Both Ian Anderson and Mark Knopfler were born in Scotland. IA was born on August 10, 1947 while MK was born on August 12, 1949, but I believe it is highly unlikely that Ian Anderson would induct Dire Straits into the RRHOF.

Posted by Aaron O'Donnell on Saturday, 12/30/2017 @ 18:01pm

Why aren't Hal Lindes, Terry Williams, Jack Sonni listed as snubbed members?

Posted by Roy on Wednesday, 01/17/2018 @ 04:38am

Eric Clapton? Sting?

What are they doing this month?

Posted by Roy on Monday, 04/2/2018 @ 11:01am

Tina Turner?

Posted by Roy on Monday, 04/2/2018 @ 11:02am

A ha! "Weird Al" Yankovic will induct Dire Straits and perform with them.

Posted by Roy on Monday, 04/2/2018 @ 11:06am

Aren't these people millionaires? Why don't they want to pay to attend the ceremony?

Posted by Roy on Wednesday, 04/4/2018 @ 07:42am

Is it too late to delete Dire Straits from the RNRHOF? They don't seem to care, Mark isn't coming, they aren't performing, Alan Clark (whoever THAT is) is making jokes, and they were a borderline choice to begin with.

F Dire Straits, and I think Romeo and Juliet is a fantastic song.

Posted by Classic Rock on Saturday, 04/7/2018 @ 22:16pm

A bit late to disinvite Dire Straits. And...
No one named yet to induct them yet, too.
The result of all this maybe less than 4 minutes of mention of them at the induction ceremony. !

Posted by Mark on Sunday, 04/8/2018 @ 13:17pm

The Sex Pistols doesn't care about the HOF either, and they're still inductees. So, they're still part of the ranks whether they like it or not. It's also gonna be the same with DL once they get in at some point.

Posted by The Dude on Sunday, 04/8/2018 @ 13:24pm

The Choices For Inducting Dire Straits

Bob Dylan * Eric Clapton * Rod Stewart * Tina Turner * Elton John * Billy Joel * Steve Miller * Bob Seger * John Fogerty * George Thorogood * Boz Scaggs * Sting * "Weird Al" Yankovic

Who will win? What are they doing this month? Who is free?

Posted by Roy on Sunday, 04/8/2018 @ 16:51pm

Steven Van Zandt might be lying. He will induct Dire Straits.

Posted by Roy on Friday, 04/13/2018 @ 15:40pm

Heard on Sirius radio today that Keith Urban was going to Induct DS and actually cancel a Vegas show...but when he hear the Mark Kn. was not coming he backed out. Then they thought Robbie Robertson was going to...now they said only a video and nothing else.

Posted by Roy on Saturday, 04/14/2018 @ 06:35am

So, is nobody gonna induct them or they waiting to reveal it until the last minute?

Posted by Nathan on Saturday, 04/14/2018 @ 18:36pm

Dire Straits wants J.J. Cale and Ry Cooder inducted!

Posted by Roy on Sunday, 04/15/2018 @ 15:25pm

David Knopfler, Mark Knopfler, Pick Withers did not attend.

Alan Clark, Guy Fletcher, John Illsley attended.

Why didn't Pick Withers attend?

Posted by Roy on Sunday, 04/15/2018 @ 16:24pm

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YjwkkHgJKxo

Dire Straits - Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction

Posted by Roy on Thursday, 05/10/2018 @ 16:51pm

Their induction was well deserved. They have 140 million records sold worldwide, four Grammy's, three Brit Awards, a talented guitarist, the first CD to sell a million copies (Brothers in Arms), and critical acclaim.

Posted by Tommy on Sunday, 09/23/2018 @ 14:07pm

Late to the party, but glad one of my favourite bands finally made it in, well done!

Posted by Tahvo Parvianen on Tuesday, 02/19/2019 @ 08:42am

They don't give a damn about any trumpet playin' band
It ain't what they call Rock and Roll

-Sultans of Swing

Posted by Roy on Wednesday, 07/24/2019 @ 11:21am

I've always liked this band. Mark Knopfler is a musician and lyricist of the highest pedigree and John Illsley is a masterful, if understated bassist who never resorted to showing off. "Sultans of Swing" is probably the ultimate Stratocaster song and "Brothers in Arms" is the most melodic protest song ever. Knopfler's vocals aren't great but so what? It's the overall sound that matters!

Posted by StunningStocktaker on Wednesday, 08/7/2019 @ 15:44pm

Mark Knopfler wrote the music for Local Hero.

Posted by Roy on Saturday, 05/21/2022 @ 02:36am

Rest in peace, Tina Turner. Mark Knopfler wrote the title track to her 1984 album, Private Dancer. https://www.udiscovermusic.com/stories/tina-turner-private-dancer-public-affair/

Posted by J.W. on Wednesday, 05/24/2023 @ 18:18pm

RIP Jack Sonni

Posted by J.W. on Friday, 09/1/2023 @ 20:16pm