After disbanding once again in 1995, Knopfler launched his solo career full-time. There were several changes in personnel, with Mark Knopfler and Illsley being the only consistent members. Their stripped-down sound contrasted with punk rock and demonstrated a roots rock influence that emerged from pub rock. According to the Guinness Book of British Hit Albums, Dire Straits have spent over 1,100 weeks on the UK albums chart, the fifth most of all time.Dire Straits' sound draws from various influences including jazz, folk, and country, and the blues rock of J. Their most commercially successful album, Brothers in Arms (1985), has sold more than 30 million copies it was the first album to sell a million copies on compact disc, and is the eighth-bestselling album in UK history. It was followed by hit singles including 'Romeo and Juliet' (1981), 'Private Investigations' (1982), 'Twisting by the Pool' (1983), 'Money for Nothing' (1985), and 'Walk of Life' (1985). Dire Straits are one of the world's best-selling music artists, with album sales of over 100 million.Their first single, 'Sultans of Swing', from their 1978 self-titled debut album, reached the top ten in the UK and US charts. They were active from 1977 to 1988 and again from 1991 to 1995. 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).

Dire straits album art