John Illsley
Actor
- Born
- June 24, 1949 (age 77) · Leicester, England, UK
John Edward Illsley (born 24 June 1949) is an English musician, best known as bass guitarist of the rock band Dire Straits. With it, he has received multiple BRIT and Grammy Awards, and a Heritage Award.
As one of the founding band members, with guitarist brothers Mark and David Knopfler, and drummer Pick Withers, Illsley played a role in the development of Dire Straits' sound. By the time the group disbanded in 1995 changes in personnel meant that Illsley and lead singer Mark Knopfler were the only two original band members remaining. Illsley was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Dire Straits in 2018.
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Illsley has produced two albums of his own, with Mark Knopfler as a guest musician, and has helped with Mark's personal projects and charities. He released two more albums, influenced by the Celtic-based band Cunla.
Known for
Live Aid
July 13, 1985
Dire Straits: Alchemy Live 1983
July 23, 1983
Dire Straits: On The Night
May 11, 1993
Dire Straits: Sultans of Swing, The Very Best of Dire Straits
August 1, 1998
Dire Straits: Live at Wembley Arena
July 10, 1985
Dire Straits: Live In Basel
June 28, 1992
Arena: Dire Straits
December 22, 1980
Dire Straits: Thank You Australia and New Zealand
April 26, 1986
Dire Straits at Live Aid
July 13, 1985
Dire Straits with Eric Clapton - Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute
June 11, 1988
Prince's Trust Rock Gala - Volume 1
June 20, 1986
Dire Straits: Autumn in Nimes
September 28, 1992
Acting17
- 2025Dire Straits: Brothers in Arms
- 2018Twenty Eighteen Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony as Self [Dire Straits]
- 2009O Melhor do Flash Back - 92 Clipes Para Recordar as Self (archive footage)
- 2005Live Aid: 20 Years Ago Today as Self
- 1998Dire Straits: Sultans of Swing, The Very Best of Dire Straits
- 1993Dire Straits: On The Night as Himself - Bass, Vocals, Guitar
- 1992Dire Straits: The Last Concert - Zaragoza 1992 as Himself - Bass, Vocals
- 1992Dire Straits: Autumn in Nimes as Himself - Bass
- 1992Dire Straits: Live In Basel as Himself - Bass Guitar, Vocals