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Mark Knopfler declines Dire Straits tour and album

Bassist John Illsley reveals Knopfler isn't keen on a reinion

October 7, 2008 | 8 Comments
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Former Dire Straits frontman Mark Knopfler has scuppered the chances of the band reuniting.

According to bassist John Illsley, Knopfler is the stumbling block in plans for the group to reunite for a tour and new album, as he is concentrating on his own musical projects.

The group's last studio album was 1991's 'On Every Street'.

Illsley - who releases solo album 'Beautiful You' on October 13 - told BBC News that he had attempted to instigate a reunion, only to be rebuffed by his former bandmate.

"I think we've definitely got one more tour left in us, and probably another record too," Illsley said. "[But] he's [Knopfler] doing different kinds of music now.

"He's doing incredibly well as a solo artist, so hats off to him. He's having a perfectly good time doing what he's doing."

Mark Knopfler has had success as a solo artist since the official break-up of Dire Straits in 1995. He released his latest studio album, 'Kill To Get Crimson', last year.

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Comments (8)

Add a comment

kiers83

Oct 7, 2008

Come on Mark, be a sport. Some of us were too young to attend your shows before you split up, and I would love it if you did one more so that I could attend. Come on, dont tell me you're not tempted!!

Jamie_Fullerton

Oct 7, 2008

I think this is comlpetely reasonably - Mark has had a great deal of success and acclaim as a solo artists, which isn't something a lot of people do after leaving huge bands. Why should he jack that in? JF.

chrispaz

Oct 7, 2008

I don't actually think there's any room left on the reunion bandwagon....

Willy Plonka

Oct 7, 2008

Come on Mr K, you have proved you can have a succesful career, along with Gilmour and grow old gracefully. Surely one tour wont hurt. I dont particularly like your music, but, jeez there are tens of millions that do.

hness

Oct 7, 2008

thank you mark for not doing it....Dire straits were fucking shit in the eighties so would be even worse now...

rubbersoul7

Oct 7, 2008

hness.....WHAT?? Dire Straights were great. have you never heard the solo in 'Sultans Of Swing'??

hness

Oct 8, 2008

yes i have heard it...and i didnt like it....i like one song by them ..romeo and juliet...i was old enough in the eighties to be subjected to their snooze inducing music but i was more into the bunnymen/cure/smiths..stuff back then