If it wasn't for Mark's material, none of the other band members would be famous including David. The reason for their success was Mark Knopfler's unique style, masterful guitar playing and songwriting.
True but David was a fantastic rythm guitar player and pick withers one of the best drummers of that moment, they had a big part to the sound of the first period of the band.
I’d have to disagree. I think mark became threatened in the early 80s. David sang like Mark but was younger and had hair. Mark loved David and wanted him to be with him through all of this, I’m sure. He just let anger over David leaving the band ruin that. Oh how history could have been different if mark would have included his brothers artistic voices in the project. How epic Dire Straits would have been.
Mark knopfler is a once in several generations artist in terms of the style and calibre of music he creates. David is also a great and unashamedly unique musician, who clearly isn't in it for success which is a very admirable quality in an artist. His work doesn't lack the poetry that marks has, and there styles have really both developed in their older age. 2 exceptional artists from the same family, a real blessing on the world.
We are just watching what everyone else has to say about Mark and David. They're both very talented. David is a beautiful man with an enormous talent...Mark is exceptional. Both have tons of talent. They need to make peace..it's not a competition. How sad they must compete and not make peace.
LOL sorry no disrespect to David but in terms of talent David is no where close to Mark. Mark Knopfler is a musical genius and one of the greatest guitar players of all times.
Just awesome to see a guy walk away from something even if it means losing millions of dollars but keeping his faith and passion for writing good songs!
Though I am a big fan of Mark he is a true genius, but David has the right to pursue his passion for composing and singing his own material, whatever the success or fame it achieves.
To be honest hats off to him he knew he was walking away from something huge but he did because he was strong enough to believe in himself. And he is still playing so that can only be good. So by the way is Pick Withers. And I believe the original band where by far the better band.
The 1983 Dire Straits lineup was the strongest, although Mark’s playing continued to improve right up until 1996 where he was at his peak. Since then Mark’s songwriting has continued to improve, although the dexterity of his fingers is not what it once was.
You never hear Mark make any negative remarks about his brother. Those people who have worked with Mark always comment on him being a gentleman and not a dictator. Whether the rift is Sibling Rivalry or as a result of the early pressure on Dire Straits or both I do not know.
I think Mark was a dick to David (even though I disagree with musical democracies and agree with Marks approach to band organization). Mark didn't have to belittle David, and when things got out of hand, I guess the former realized what he had done wrong all this while and so changed his approach in later years. Possible.
Rob reinier the director of the princess bride described mark as being one of the nicest people he ever worked with but I do think around the 1980 mark a lot of pressure was on the band and the brothers and mark was getting all the attention and David very little and it's understandable that some of this attention went to marks head for a little while
Basically I think that the brothers wanted 2 different things out of life, which is fine. David is the more easy going of two easy going brothers. Even though Mark sounds easy going on the surface, he's very driven. As I've heard David say in other interviews, Mark is a triple Leo. Having grown up with a Leo father I get that. Although David didn't become a megastar like his brother, he's been a prolific songwriter, has released 9 or so albums, has a lovely wife and seems very happy. Isn't that what life's all about? It seems that Mark might hold a grudge against his brother for leaving the band, but wouldn't it be better to just bury the hatchet?
@enginerelay I AGREE COMPLETELY with your comment! i thought i was the only one who thought that! i have never been interested on anything that Straits did after David left
Mark Knopfler is a musical genius. David did not have any input whatsoever when he was in dire straits nor did any of the other members. He was simply a rhythm guitar player and not a contributing factor in terms of words or music - that was all Mark Knopfler. You should see what David did after he left dire straits, launched himself as a solo pop artist. There is a pop video of David floating around somewhere on youtube.
Dire Straits was just Mark and a bunch of hired guns. There was no harm in David leaving the band to pursue his own interests. To prove that Mark broke up the band at the height of their success. They were a stepping stone for Mark and David knew it. Sometimes people get mad at the ones who know them the best. They are both talented men leading the lives they want to lead.
cant help but feel like david is the nicer guy... Nice guys finish last. All the clips i see of Mark in his younger days he comes across totally up himself...
well that was an annoying and meaningless video.....didn't say much and what was said was distorted by the unnecessary and useless soundtrack playing in the background throughout the "interview"
"Mark no longer needed the band to be a democracy" .. that says a lot. I have also heard MK say DK did not handle touring very well. All in all I think DK wanted more input or suggested ideas that MK did not agree with. As it stood MK was the voice, face and sound of DS he had the power.. DK knew MK no longer had to democratically collaborate so he chose to leave rather than keeping his mouth shut about musical ideas he disagreed with. It is sad they have not reconciled their differences.
yes both these guy are top players , one cool and calm ,and the other a little younger , its about time they put it all behind , and get together and use both voices together and see that comes from that ,from what i here from both there is a hidden sound there we would like to here and they can offer , how about it you two, we are to long in the grave , ,,,,grant
sad they dont play together, but i can understand it, its not easy work with your family, like family companys, not many like have parents ther bosses. And be in a super band with your brother travling 300 days a year on a tour, will give you probs for sure, but looks like the young brothers in AC/DC can do it when they on tour, but not all can.
Typical older-younger bro rivalry... Older had more ambition and possibly talent, and the younger has better looks and better hearline... Perhaps Mark just couldn't handle that kind of competition :-)
You cross the band leader at your peril. All other band members are required to compromise their talent to be part of the band. Their job is to do their bit and fall into line. Each of The Heartbreakers had to do that to be part of Tom Petty. Ditto The E Street Band. Credit to Dave for doing his thing. He’s up there with Ralph McTell as a class act and a lovely guy.
Every interview I've ever seen with any member of Dire Straits has Sultans of Swing playing in the background, sometimes drowning out the speakers, as it does here. Pretty annoying.
Ok, so one should live one's life being a lackey to his big brother. Ego/pride is a big problem for most every person on earth, so should David said "yes sir" the rest of his life, or strike out on his own to try his own material, with the freedom to succeed or fail on his own merits? The "privileged position" is like vice-president, not much responsibility & no one cares or remembers.
So Marty, does a band consist of only lead singers, lead guitar players, lead drummers and so on? If one has a big mouth, one gotta step up to the plate and show everyone what you’ve got....does David have such a talent? Could he step up to the plate? And Marty how about in sports? E.g. soccer? All 11 star players huh? No defenders, no goalkeeper, just the lead star striker huh? It’s not being someones lackey, it’s called being a good teamplayer...Suck it up if your in a band and don’t have what it takes...I respect the fact that he tried solo, don’t get me wrong...but don’t pretend you’re better and whine about it...even years later...
It is a shame he and Mark can't get along. Unfortunately Mark was on a power trip and didn't want a brother there to second guess him. Mark struck the final chord when he told David to "play whatever the fuck you want" in a studio session.
Oh yeah... after 45 years of music, fame, recognition as one of the greatest who ever played, idolized by different generations and more than 100 million pounds in the bank, I am pretty sure karma is about to hit...
Did not want to be someone else strummer? 1.It's not someone it's MK the god of guitar. 2.You haven't been more then just a strummer even in your solo carrier. What a waste of privileged position.
