Dire Straits Dire Straits Dire Straits were a British rock band formed in London in 1977 by Mark Knopfler (lead vocals and lead guitar), David Knopfler (rhythm guitar and backing vocals), John Illsley (bass guitar and backing vocals), and Pick Withers (drums and percussion). The band became one of the world's best-selling music artists, with album sales of over 100 million. Their first hit single "Sultans of Swing", from their self-titled debut album, reached the top ten in the UK and US charts in 1978. They released hit singles in the 1980s, such as "Private Investigations" (1983), "Money for Nothing" (1985), and
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