John Illsley, musician and artist, is best known as the bass player and co-founder of the multi-million selling band Dire Straits, 120 million albums and counting. John and Mark Knopfler were the only founding members to remain in the line-up from 1977 until they decided to call it a day in 1995. Dire Straits were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2018
As a musician John also has 8 solo albums to his credit 6 since Dire Straits stopped working together. As a solo performer he has played extensively in Europe and the UK with his own band of fine musicians, including guitarist Robbie McIntosh.
In 2021 Penguin published John’s autobiography “My Life in Dire Straits” it has sold extensively around the world.
“I wanted to celebrate what was a wonderful experience, not just for me, but for all the people involved in creating a musical phenomenon that was enjoyed by so many “
John is the recipient of an Ivor Novello award for outstanding contribution to British Music, and multiple Brit and Grammy awards.
A tour is scheduled as "The life and times of Dire Straits with John Illsley !". John & band give the audience a history of DIRE STRAITS from its very beginnings untill the end, with stories, photos, clips and the songs.
His band will include Robbie McIntosh (The Pretenders/Tom Jones/Mark Knopfler/John Mayer/Roger Daltrey/Paul McCartney), Steve Smith (Robert Plant/Roger Daltrey/ Kenney Jones/Russ Ballard), Hannah Robinson, Jodi Linscott (The Who/Kokomo/Elton John) and Stuart Marchant (Vanessa Mae/Amy MacDonald).