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John Illsley

Personal Info

Known For

Acting

Born

June 24, 1949 (age 76)

Place of Birth

Leicester, England, UK

Also Known As

John Edward Illsley

Dire Straits

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John Illsley

Biography

John Edward Illsley (born 24 June 1949) is an English musician, best known as bass guitarist of the rock band Dire Straits. With it, he has received multiple BRIT and Grammy Awards, and a Heritage Award. As one of the founding band members, with guitarist brothers Mark and David Knopfler, and drummer Pick Withers, Illsley played a role in the development of Dire Straits' sound. By the time the group disbanded in 1995 changes in personnel meant that Illsley and lead singer Mark Knopfler were the only two original band members remaining. Illsley was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Dire Straits in 2018. Illsley has produced two albums of his own, with Mark Knopfler as a guest musician, and has helped with Mark's personal projects and charities. He released two more albums, influenced by the Celtic-based band Cunla.

Known For

Rockpalast

Rockpalast

1974

Live Aid

Live Aid

Self

1985

Live Aid: 20 Years Ago Today

Live Aid: 20 Years Ago Today

Self

2005

O Melhor do Flash Back - 92 Clipes Para Recordar

O Melhor do Flash Back - 92 Clipes Para Recordar

Self (archive footage)

2009

Dire Straits: Alchemy Live 1983

Dire Straits: Alchemy Live 1983

Bass Guitar

1983

Twenty Eighteen Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony

Twenty Eighteen Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony

Self [Dire Straits]

2018

Dire Straits with Eric Clapton - Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute

Dire Straits with Eric Clapton - Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute

bass

1988

Dire Straits: Live at Wembley Arena

Dire Straits: Live at Wembley Arena

Bass

1985

Dire Straits: Thank You Australia and New Zealand

Dire Straits: Thank You Australia and New Zealand

Himself - Bass, Vocals

1986

Dire Straits: On The Night

Dire Straits: On The Night

Himself - Bass, Vocals, Guitar

1993

Dire Straits: Live In Basel

Dire Straits: Live In Basel

Himself - Bass Guitar, Vocals

1992

Arena: Dire Straits

Arena: Dire Straits

Self

1980

Dire Straits: Sultans of Swing, The Very Best of Dire Straits

Dire Straits: Sultans of Swing, The Very Best of Dire Straits

1998

Dire Straits at Live Aid

Dire Straits at Live Aid

Self

1985

Dire Straits: The Last Concert - Zaragoza 1992

Dire Straits: The Last Concert - Zaragoza 1992

Himself - Bass, Vocals

1992

Dire Straits: Brothers In Arms

Dire Straits: Brothers In Arms

2025

Dire Straits: Live at Rockpalast 1979

Dire Straits: Live at Rockpalast 1979

bass guitar, vocals

1979

Dire Straits: Autumn in Nimes

Dire Straits: Autumn in Nimes

Himself - Bass

1992

Filmography

2025FilmDire Straits: Brothers In Arms 2018FilmTwenty Eighteen Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremonyas Self [Dire Straits]2009FilmO Melhor do Flash Back - 92 Clipes Para Recordaras Self (archive footage)2005FilmLive Aid: 20 Years Ago Todayas Self 1998FilmDire Straits: Sultans of Swing, The Very Best of Dire Straits 1993FilmDire Straits: On The Nightas Himself - Bass, Vocals, Guitar 1992FilmDire Straits: The Last Concert - Zaragoza 1992as Himself - Bass, Vocals 1992FilmDire Straits: Autumn in Nimesas Himself - Bass 1992FilmDire Straits: Live In Baselas Himself - Bass Guitar, Vocals 1988FilmDire Straits with Eric Clapton - Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tributeas bass 1986FilmDire Straits: Thank You Australia and New Zealandas Himself - Bass, Vocals 1985FilmDire Straits at Live Aidas Self 1985FilmLive Aidas Self 1985FilmDire Straits: Live at Wembley Arenaas Bass 1983FilmDire Straits: Alchemy Live 1983as Bass Guitar 1980FilmArena: Dire Straitsas Self 1979FilmDire Straits: Live at Rockpalast 1979as bass guitar, vocals 1974TVRockpalast