Talk:Dire Straits/Archive 2

Archive 1

Archive 2

Wrong info on the picture to the right in "1980-1984 Increased musical complexity" section

I recently found some incorrect info on the text to the picture saying "L to R: Mark and David Knopfler with Dire Straits, June 1979". The guy to the right in the picture is not David Knopfler and that I'm sure of. It's Hal Lindes. I tried to change it when I wasn't a member on wikipedia but I got banned for vandalism(?!?!). The fact that it isn't Hal Lindes also means that the date on the picture is wrong since Hal Lindes joined to band in 1981. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Jontzohrx (talk • contribs) 19:43, 17 March 2011 (UTC)

The photo was taken by a friend of mine, who has previously contributed a few of his excellent photos to Wikipedia. He is a professional photographer, and has been for dozens of years, now living in Ireland. I agree that David Knopfler and Hal Lindes do look a lot alike, since I thought the same when I was browsing through his pro-website. The date of the photo was June, 1979. Please don't prompt me to revert anything. --Leahtwosaints (talk) 04:33, 21 March 2011 (UTC)

I agree with Jontzohrx: the guy in the picture is Hal Lindes, not David Knopfler. Moreover Hal Lindes is playing a Schecter Strat which has been bought in 1980 (please see here), therefore the date must be wrong. Anyway the photo is very good! :) Thank you for your attention. -- Étienne (it.wiki) 20:13, 21 March 2011 (UTC)

Exactly, and since David Knopfler left the band in October 1980 (see [1]), and Hal Lindes became a full-time member in 1981, it's impossible that the picture is taken in 1979. I am not sure if Hal Lindes participated in any concerts in 1980 but probably not, but what's sure is that he did not participate in any concerts in 1979. --Jontzohrx (talk) 14:46, 22 March 2011 (UTC)

OK!! I heard from Rik Walton, the photographer friend who initially thought the photo of Mark with Hal was of David Knopfler. You are all great observers! I also thought (rightly so, like the rest of you) that it was of Mark and Hal, and my friend corrected me. But after being contacted by David Knopfler, he admitted he made a mistake. It is Mark and Hal. Makes me wonder if any of you ARE David! If so, it sure would be nice to get a couple of photos, like then and now of you!! Well, anyway, mystery solved. --Leahtwosaints (talk) 06:22, 24 March 2011 (UTC)

Origin of the band

Hi. The article currently has 'Newcastle, England' for the origin of the band. A quick web search finds many recent articles about Mark Knopfler, his brother David and John Illsley receiving a plaque honouring the birthplace of the band, at Farrar House, Deptford, SE London. In a BBC News web article in 2009, John Illsley is quoted as saying this was the place where the band was conceived and did their first gig. Michael Oldfield's book 'Dire Straits' says that John Illsley moved in to the Deptford flat, followed by David Knopfler who was visited by, and later joined by his brother Mark - the band therefore first met in Deptford. The band's first gig was outside Farrar House. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Cmocmo (talk • contribs) 18:43, 4 April 2011 (UTC)

Yes, I saw that article, too. Change it if it's incorrect, or if you wish me to do so, let me know on my talk page. I'll be glad to help. --Leahtwosaints (talk) 07:47, 6 April 2011 (UTC)

Remastering

The remastered reissue of Brothers In Arms is compressed. The sound is, IMHO, lousy compared to the original. Is there perhaps an authoritative source of info about that? Perhaps an somewhat scholarly article that plots the time-domain or does technical analysis on it? I think people should be warned. But of course, humble opinions are not admissible. Also, I would like to know if the surround sound version is similarly compressed.

Added later: I found this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7UjQc0dM4H4&fmt=18 Are youtube videos allowed as references? Jive Dadson (talk) 16:49, 10 July 2011 (UTC)

Merge

There's not enough in the article on band members to justify a separate article, and - with the exception of bands that have had pretty much a revolving-door policy on personnel, most bands simply add a timeline within the main band article (on the subject of which, there's a standardised form for those, which would be far neater than the Dire Straits one!) The current list article isn't so long as to unbalance the band's article, and it'd make a lot of sense if the information was merged. Grutness...wha? 12:35, 14 January 2013 (UTC)

I agree that the standard timeline form looks better. If you move ahead with the merge, I would also carry over the Chronological list table, which distinguishes the band members from the additional touring members. Bede735 (talk) 21:03, 30 January 2013 (UTC)

Incorrect info on band formation

John Illsley started the band not Mark Knopfler. 192.193.116.137 (talk) 14:45, 30 January 2013 (UTC)

Where does it say band was started by Mark Knopfler specifically? The the article currently says it was collectively formed by the Knopfler brothers, John Illsley and Pick Withers in 1977. -Fnlayson (talk) 17:01, 30 January 2013 (UTC)

Probably the lead sentence: "Dire Straits were a British rock band, formed in 1977 by former journalist and teacher Mark Knopfler, initially composed of Knopfler (lead vocals and lead guitar), his younger brother David Knopfler..." Should probably read: Dire Straits were a British rock band, formed in 1977 by Mark Knopfler (lead vocals and lead guitar), his younger brother David Knopfler..." The first sentence of the History section is worded correctly. Bede735 (talk)

Early Years

It should be noted that the re-release of "Sultans of Swing" and subsequent UK chart entry only occured after the record company and BBC had found out about considerable continental (and australian?) airplay. --129.13.72.198 (talk) 17:53, 31 May 2013 (UTC)

Many of Dire Straits' compositions were melancholic?

this is written at the head of the article and I don't think most people view their songs as such. I was actually bothered to read it, because I think their songs are far from melancholic. I think it should be removed. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 93.173.49.55 (talk) 18:13, 21 April 2014 (UTC)