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eBook - ePub
My Life in Dire Straits
About this book
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)
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)
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Please note we cannot support devices running on iOS 13 and Android 7 or earlier. Learn more about using the app.
Yes, you can access My Life in Dire Straits by John Illsley in PDF and/or ePUB format, as well as other popular books in Media & Performing Arts & Music Biographies. We have over one million books available in our catalogue for you to explore.
Information
Table of contents
- Cover Page
- My Life in Dire Straits
- Copyright
- Dedication
- Contents
- Foreword by Mark Knopfler
- 1 The Heart of It
- 2 Night Flight to Luxembourg
- 3 Banjos, Beatings, and Bass
- 4 Girls and Gigs
- 5 Timber and Tenements
- 6 Mr. Knopfler, I Presume?
- 7 Punks on the Lawn
- 8 Five Hundred Pounds
- 9 Panic in the Shower
- 10 Off with the Heads
- 11 Wolverhampton Woe to Marquee Magic
- 12 Sessions in the Sun
- 13 Into the Blizzard
- 14 The Night at the Roxy
- 15 Into the Arena
- 16 Grim Fairy Tale of New York
- 17 The Big Wheel Keeps on Turning
- 18 Electric Power
- 19 Brothers and Souls
- 20 Jerusalem Syndrome
- 21 Live Aid Union
- 22 New Worlds
- 23 What Now?
- 24 Here We Go Again
- 25 When the Music Stops
- Photos
- Acknowledgments
- Picture Acknowledgments
- About the Author