Dire Straits was a British rock band, formed in 1977 by David Knopfler (guitar), his brother Mark Knopfler
(guitar and vocals), John Illsley (bass), and Pick Withers (drums), and managed by Ed Bicknell. Although
the band was formed in an era when punk rock reigned, Dire Straits worked within the conventions of
classic rock, albeit with a stripped-down sound that appealed to modern audiences weary of the
overproduced stadium rock of the 1970s (see 1970s in music). In their early days, Mark and David
requested that pub owners turn down the amps so that patrons could converse while the band played -
indicative of their unassuming demeanor. Despite this oddly self-effacing approach to rock and roll, Dire
Straits soon became hugely successful with their first album going multi-platinum globally.
source:  Wikipedia
Dire Straits