Dire Straits is an English group formed in 1977 by Mark Knopfler, David Knopfler, John Illsley and Pick Withers. A group that can boast of having sold around 120 million albums worldwide, making them one of the most lucrative in modern rock history.
It all started when a demo cassette containing in particular "Sultans of swing" arrives in the hands of Dj Charlie Gillett who, thrilled by the title, then broadcasts it in his television show "Honky Tonk" which airs on the BBC. This allows the group to sign 2 months later with Phonogram Records.
The eponymous first album was released in 1978 and was a huge success, in particular thanks to the presence of the flagship title promoted by Charlie Gilett. The title itself is a real worldwide hit. The notoriety of the group literally explodes.
A year later in 1979 the album "Communiqué" was released, which in turn was a hit. Album from which "Lady writer" and "Once upon a time in the West" were mainly extracted.
In 1980, the album "Making movies" was released. More worked, better arranged, it prefigures the style which will be taken again in all the following albums. The main singles "Romeo and Juliet" and to a lesser extent "Tunnel of love" will be extracted.
The album "Love over gold" came out in 1982, made a real hit and gave the band their first Top5 in England with the title "Private investigations".
1983 saw the release of a mini album "ExtendedancEPlay" which produced the hit "Twisting by the pool".
The group broke for a year and came back in force in 1985 with the flagship album "Brothers in arms", an album that has become cult and which will remain ranked no less than 228 weeks in the English Charts ! Album of all records : the best-selling album that year in England, it sold over 9 million copies in the United States and holds the record for longevity in place of No.1 in Australia, with 34 weeks consecutive !
No less than 5 hits, including 2 major ones, will be extracted : the enormous “Money for nothing” carried by a clip that will make a milestone, “Walk of life” which will touch the top of the Charts, and to a lesser extent "So far away", "Brothers in arms" and "Your latest trick".
The album will also stay in history as the first CD album topped one million sales. The following tour is also phenomenal : 247 concerts in 100 different cities ! Mind-blowing !
As paradoxical as it may seem, it is that the group will never be able to find the necessary dynamics to continue in the adventure and will not end up going their separate ways in 1988 !
The group rose from its ashes in 1991 under the leadership of Mark Knopfler and produced a final hit "Calling Elvis". Single which this time will indeed mark the end of this now legendary group and which will have written one of the most beautiful pages in the musical history of the 80s.
To discover or rediscover.
Discography (among others ...) :
Sultans of swing 1978
Water of love 1978
Lady writer 1979
Once upon a time in the west 1979
Romeo and Juliet 1981
Skateaway 1981
Tunnel of love 1981
Private investigations 1982
Industrial disease 1983
Twisting by the pool 1983
Love over gold 1984
So far away 1985
Money for nothing 1985
Brothers in arms 1985
Walk of life 1985
Your latest trick 1986
Calling Elvis 1991
Heavy fuel 1991
On every street 1992
The bug 1992
You and your friend 1992
Ticket to heaven 1994
Clips :
1978 ... a unique voice, style, sound. A whole that will allow a small group of unknown men to become one of the most emblematic groups of the end of the 20th century, just that !
1978 ... a sequel that will not have much to do with the previous title but which allows the group to record his second classified title. It's already that...
1979 ... after such a smashing start, the hardest part is to confirm. And the least we can say is that the challenge has been met with flying colors !
1979 ... an extraordinary talent that is confirmed piece by piece, year after year. It remains to be seen what the 1980s have in store for them ...
1981 ... a change of decade that takes place quietly, slowly and surely. The year 1980 will remain a blank year, we find them directly in 1981 with a first single which allows to revive the dynamic ...
1981 ... an upturn which is confirmed and which translates into significantly higher sales scores ...
1981 ... the first BIG year with no less than 3 hits of XXL caliber. Their unique style is evidently one of the most successful of the decade
1982 ... a year marked by rarity. One title, but what a title. And above all, what a success !
1983 ... not necessarily their biggest commercial success but surely one of their most emblematic titles. HU-GE !
1983 ... from this title, the group will chain the planetary mega hits at a staggering speed. An almost unparalleled domination !
1984 ... another year of minimalist production. A single title to chew on. On the other hand, what is looming on the horizon is enormouuuusssss !
1985 ... the year of all records for the group ! First by the release of a legendary album which will remain as their Masterpiece. Then by the release of singles which will also become a legend ...
1985 ... which will surely remain as their Mona Lisa. A HUGE track that will shatter everything in its path and will stay in history as much for its musical value as for the hyper innovative side of its clip. MAS-TER-FUL !
1985 ... very few Intimist in their discography but a few gems here and there. Including this one. MA-GIC !
1985 ... an exceptional year which ended in apotheosis with a new title of very, very high caliber. The pass of 4 !
1986 ... surprising as it may seem, even years are not very successful for them. After 1982 and 1984, here comes a new mono single year. But as always, there is not the quantity but the quality, as for it, is there !
1991 ... then a big air hole that will last nearly 5 years. A group that is resourceful to better return to the beginning of the 90s. The proof with this new title which allows them to immediately return to success
1991 ... a good year 1991 with a second very High Class title. The style has still, not, or little, evolved since their beginnings but for now, that's enough to keep them at the top of the Charts. Beautiful feat ...
1992 ... a new foray into the Intimist. And even if it was not their business, the least we can say is that they also provide in this area !
1992 ... the last notorious hit. Almost 15 years after their sensational debut, the group is slowly, but surely, withdrawing its bow. While leaving in its wake several legendary titles that will have profoundly marked the 80s !
1992 ... come on, the adventure is not quite over. A year 1992 definitely placed under the sign of finesse and softness. At this level, who would complain !
1994 ... this time, on the other hand, it is indeed the end. And what better way to end the adventure in style than this light and airy title ...
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