News Latest News from Ultimate-Guitar.Com. en-US Copyright 1998-2026 Ultimate-Guitar.Com. All rights reserved. https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/modules/rss/news.xml.php?artist=1644 Tue, 21 Apr 2026 20:12:43 -0400 Mon, 14 Jun 2010 11:59:03 -0400 60 Ultimate-Guitar.Com https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/static/_img/logo_trans.png https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/modules/rss/news.xml.php?artist=1644 144 44 https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/articles/features/mark-knopfler-was-all--about-restraint-but-a-misplaced-mic-made-money-for-nothing-sound-so-80s-185900 https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/articles/features/mark-knopfler-was-all--about-restraint-but-a-misplaced-mic-made-money-for-nothing-sound-so-80s-185900 Features: An accidental mic position and a cocked wah pedal traded Knopfler's signature clarity for the aggressive, nasal snarl. The song's recording session remains a masterclass in recognizing a happy accident and having the discipline not to "fix" a perfect mistake.]]> Tue, 21 Apr 2026 20:12:43 -0400 https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/articles/features/how-mark-knopflers-sultans-of-swing-became-the-ultimate-antithesis-to-the-70s-disco-186098 https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/articles/features/how-mark-knopflers-sultans-of-swing-became-the-ultimate-antithesis-to-the-70s-disco-186098 Features: "Sultans of Swing" remains as great a hit today as it was decades ago, but it had a far greater impact than you'd imagine, and it all stems from its unusual approach and sound that stood out from everything popular at the time.]]> Sat, 18 Apr 2026 19:00:47 -0400 https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/gear/mark-knopflers-guitar-tech-opens-up-on-how-he-convinced-him-to-play-a-les-paul-on-brothers-in-arms-i-felt-a-resistance-early-on-but-i-persevered https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/gear/mark-knopflers-guitar-tech-opens-up-on-how-he-convinced-him-to-play-a-les-paul-on-brothers-in-arms-i-felt-a-resistance-early-on-but-i-persevered Gear: "I don't think he could have played those parts on any other guitar, quite frankly. A Strat couldn't have done it at all."]]> Fri, 19 Sep 2025 15:22:10 -0400 https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/mark-knopflers-guitar-tech-opens-up-on-how-he-convinced-him-to-play-a-les-paul-on-brothers-in-arms-i-felt-a-resistance-early-on-but-i-persevered https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/mark-knopflers-guitar-tech-opens-up-on-how-he-convinced-him-to-play-a-les-paul-on-brothers-in-arms-i-felt-a-resistance-early-on-but-i-persevered Music News: "I don't think he could have played those parts on any other guitar, quite frankly. A Strat couldn't have done it at all."]]> Fri, 19 Sep 2025 15:22:03 -0400 https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/ive-tried-playing-other-intros-and-they-just-dont-work-mark-knopfler-reveals-one-simple-guitar-part-he-thinks-is-key-for-this-dire-straits-hit https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/ive-tried-playing-other-intros-and-they-just-dont-work-mark-knopfler-reveals-one-simple-guitar-part-he-thinks-is-key-for-this-dire-straits-hit Music News: "That's not to say you have to play the guitar part the same way every time. Once I've played those four notes, then I can start to improvise."]]> Thu, 14 Aug 2025 05:16:05 -0400 https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/everybody-shouted-no-dont-touch-it-mark-knopfler-couldnt-nail-his-guitar-tone-for-money-for-nothing--then-this-happened https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/everybody-shouted-no-dont-touch-it-mark-knopfler-couldnt-nail-his-guitar-tone-for-money-for-nothing--then-this-happened Music News: "Once Mark had his guitar lick down, the whole song took off and became its own lifeform."]]> Wed, 25 Jun 2025 01:02:01 -0400 https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/heres-a-simple-microtonal-take-on-dire-straits-sultans-of-swing https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/heres-a-simple-microtonal-take-on-dire-straits-sultans-of-swing Music News: The classic Dire Straits song with a suitably Turkish twist.]]> Sun, 01 Jun 2025 21:45:37 -0400 https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/could_a_dire_straits_reunion_happen_mark_knopfler_explains_his_position.html https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/could_a_dire_straits_reunion_happen_mark_knopfler_explains_his_position.html Music News: "I love Dire Straits and I loved doing all that, but what I wanted to do was just to expand and work with different players."]]> Wed, 10 Apr 2024 20:35:54 -0400 https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/sultans_of_shred_heres_how_dire_straits_classic_solo_sounds_in_the_style_of_satriani_vai_paul_gilbert_guthrie_govan_zakk_wylde_and_more.html https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/sultans_of_shred_heres_how_dire_straits_classic_solo_sounds_in_the_style_of_satriani_vai_paul_gilbert_guthrie_govan_zakk_wylde_and_more.html Music News: All while respecting the original solo.]]> Sun, 29 Oct 2023 10:31:56 -0400 https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/dire_straits_john_illsley_explains_what_good_songwriting_is_all_about_i_learned_this_from_mark_knopfler.html https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/dire_straits_john_illsley_explains_what_good_songwriting_is_all_about_i_learned_this_from_mark_knopfler.html Music News: "It's a talent, but it's something that I think one can learn over a period of time."]]> Mon, 25 Sep 2023 22:40:23 -0400 https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/dire_straits_guitarist_jack_sonni_dies_aged_68.html https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/dire_straits_guitarist_jack_sonni_dies_aged_68.html Music News: The cause of death remains unspecified.]]> Fri, 01 Sep 2023 19:57:44 -0400 https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/dire_straits_bassist_recalls_massive_amount_of_attention_that_mark_knopfler_was_under_during_bands_last_tour_reveals_what_is_the_essence_of_bass.html https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/dire_straits_bassist_recalls_massive_amount_of_attention_that_mark_knopfler_was_under_during_bands_last_tour_reveals_what_is_the_essence_of_bass.html Music News: "That was my approach from the word 'go'".]]> Mon, 20 Jun 2022 18:00:01 -0400 https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/dire_straits_bassist_remembers_how_bob_dylan_reacted_to_hearing_them_live_explains_why_they_didnt_like_doing_singles.html https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/dire_straits_bassist_remembers_how_bob_dylan_reacted_to_hearing_them_live_explains_why_they_didnt_like_doing_singles.html Music News: "Somebody managed to make a five-minute version of 'Telegraph Road,' and I didn't even bother to listen to it."]]> Tue, 26 Apr 2022 23:30:51 -0400 https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/dire_straits_bassist_explains_how_money_for_nothing_became_a_huge_hit_through_mtv_talks_why_the_band_stopped_at_the_top_of_their_game.html https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/dire_straits_bassist_explains_how_money_for_nothing_became_a_huge_hit_through_mtv_talks_why_the_band_stopped_at_the_top_of_their_game.html Music News: "I think it's just a coincidence, to be perfectly honest."]]> Wed, 20 Apr 2022 18:36:07 -0400 https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/dire_straits_engineer_speaks_on_what_it_was_like_working_with_mark_knopfler_was_he_punishing_me_i_dont_understand.html https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/dire_straits_engineer_speaks_on_what_it_was_like_working_with_mark_knopfler_was_he_punishing_me_i_dont_understand.html Music News: "Neil Dorsman mixed it - I don't know what to say about that," Bill Schnee said.]]> Fri, 25 Jun 2021 18:08:30 -0400 https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/original_dire_straits_guitarist_recalls_unusual_career_choice_talks_bands_struggle_around_the_time_sultans_of_swing_was_written.html https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/original_dire_straits_guitarist_recalls_unusual_career_choice_talks_bands_struggle_around_the_time_sultans_of_swing_was_written.html Music News: David Knopfler also discusses songwriting credits, his brother Mark, and more.]]> Tue, 27 Apr 2021 12:29:40 -0400 https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/classic_dire_straits_guitarist_rips_rock_hall_for_how_they_treated_him_talks_how_his_brother_mark_knopfler_reacted.html https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/classic_dire_straits_guitarist_rips_rock_hall_for_how_they_treated_him_talks_how_his_brother_mark_knopfler_reacted.html Music News: "They gave me an award, they apologized later," David Knopfler said.]]> Thu, 22 Apr 2021 18:54:30 -0400 https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/guitarist_speaks_on_why_he_left_dire_straits__his_brother_mark_knopfler_i_had_enough_didnt_regret_it_for_a_second.html https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/guitarist_speaks_on_why_he_left_dire_straits__his_brother_mark_knopfler_i_had_enough_didnt_regret_it_for_a_second.html Music News: David Knopfler also shares feelings on performing Dire Straits songs now.]]> Tue, 13 Apr 2021 15:57:24 -0400 https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/dire_straits_drummer_names_his_favorite_performance_with_the_band_recalls_why_his_mother_didnt_allow_him_to_play_drums_at_first.html https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/dire_straits_drummer_names_his_favorite_performance_with_the_band_recalls_why_his_mother_didnt_allow_him_to_play_drums_at_first.html Music News: "I started about the time The Beatles did, around '62," Pick Withers said.]]> Fri, 09 Apr 2021 08:28:39 -0400 https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/mark_knopfler_explains_who_the_sultans_of_swing_from_iconic_dire_straits_song_are.html https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/mark_knopfler_explains_who_the_sultans_of_swing_from_iconic_dire_straits_song_are.html Music News: "I was just there to have a couple of pints," the musician said.]]> Fri, 26 Mar 2021 16:28:44 -0400 https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/dire_straits_drummer_reflects_on_a_bit_horrendous_bob_dylan_collaboration_moment_talks_how_dylan_behaved_in_studio.html https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/dire_straits_drummer_reflects_on_a_bit_horrendous_bob_dylan_collaboration_moment_talks_how_dylan_behaved_in_studio.html Music News: "I'm thinking, 'That's ridiculous!'," Pick Withers commented.]]> Tue, 16 Mar 2021 19:53:39 -0400 https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/dire_straits_will_perform_at_rock_hall_induction_without_mark_knopfler.html https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/dire_straits_will_perform_at_rock_hall_induction_without_mark_knopfler.html Music News: Mark's brother David also won't be present.]]> Tue, 03 Apr 2018 21:39:43 -0400 https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/watch_what_would_sultans_of_swing_solo_sound_like_if_it_was_performed_by_12_different_guitar_legends.html https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/watch_what_would_sultans_of_swing_solo_sound_like_if_it_was_performed_by_12_different_guitar_legends.html Music News: Dire Straits classic in the style of Slash, Iron Maiden, Van Halen and more.]]> Thu, 23 Mar 2017 11:32:59 -0400 https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/youtuber_adds_dire_straits_walk_of_life_to_closing_scenes_of_famous_movies_results_are_amazing.html https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/youtuber_adds_dire_straits_walk_of_life_to_closing_scenes_of_famous_movies_results_are_amazing.html Music News: This works so much better than it should...]]> Mon, 14 Mar 2016 12:26:45 -0400 https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/canada_overturns_dire_straits_censorship_decision.html https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/canada_overturns_dire_straits_censorship_decision.html Music News: Dire Straits' "Money For Nothing" caused a whole lot of "Ruckus For Nothing" in Canada, as it turns out.]]> Fri, 02 Sep 2011 14:28:37 -0400 https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/dire_straits_money_for_nothing_ban_to_be_reviewed.html https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/dire_straits_money_for_nothing_ban_to_be_reviewed.html Music News: Canadian radio listeners may hear Dire Straits' controversial "Money For Nothing" blasting across the airways once again.]]> Mon, 24 Jan 2011 14:52:45 -0500 https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/dire_straits_classic_banned_25_years_after_release.html https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/dire_straits_classic_banned_25_years_after_release.html Music News: Classic Dire Straits track Money for Nothing has been banned from public broadcast in Canada after receiving just one complaint 25 years after its release.]]> Thu, 13 Jan 2011 14:13:31 -0500 https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/interviews/john_illsley_of_dire_straits_you_can_break_the_rules.html https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/interviews/john_illsley_of_dire_straits_you_can_break_the_rules.html Interviews: Illsley doesn't take for granted the fact that he's still able to thrive making music at 60 years old.]]> Mon, 14 Jun 2010 11:59:03 -0400