Dire Straits was launched with Dire Straits' "Money for Nothing". After the "Brothers in Arms" tour ended Mark Knopfler took a break from Dire Straits and during 1987 he concentrated on solo projects and film soundtracks. Dire Straits regrouped in 1988 for the Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute concert staged on 11 June 1988 at Wembley Stadium, in which they were the headline act. They were joined for their set by Eric Clapton who performed his hit "Wonderful Tonight" with the group and played rhythm guitar on the other songs performed by the band, while guitarist Jack Sonni was absent. Soon afterwards,
Romeo and Juliet (Dire Straits song) covered by the British singer-songwriter Passenger in 2014 for the "Sounds of the 80's" covers album released in conjunction with the BBC Radio 2 programme of the same name. American singer/songer Ben Bedford often sings an acoustic version of the song in his performances. Austin, Tx based guitarist Monte Montgomery also covered this song in 2003 on his live album New and Approved (track 6) which was recorded at the Cactus Cafe and authorized by release on his own label. The track features Montgomery's faster than light licks on this solo-guitar track. British folk singer-songwriter Steve Knightley covered the track