Dire Straits are one of the most iconic British rock bands, formed in 1977 around guitarist and vocalist Mark Knopfler. Their stripped-down sound — blending rock, blues and folk — stood in sharp contrast to the excess of the late 70s, helping define the classic rock era.

Their self-titled debut (1978) already featured the timeless hit Sultans of Swing, driven by Knopfler’s fluid, story-like guitar playing. Albums such as Making Movies (1980), Love Over Gold (1982) and Brothers in Arms (1985) solidified their status as international icons of refined rock.

Mark Knopfler remains the band’s guiding spirit, pursuing a successful solo career blending melodic finesse and craftsmanship, in the same spirit as Eric Clapton.

On MusikMachine, discover two stunning black-and-white photos of Dire Straits — a tribute to understated style and timeless sound 🎸