
Acting
Also Known As: John Edward Illsley, Dire Straits
Birth Date
June 24, 1949
(77 years old)
Place of Birth
Leicester, England, UK
Popularity
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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. 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.



1974 • 1 episode

Self
1985

Self
2005

Bass
1985

Self
1985

Himself - Bass Guitar, Vocals
1992

Bass Guitar
1983

Himself - Bass, Vocals
1986

Himself - Bass, Vocals, Guitar
1993

Self (archive footage)
2009

2025

Himself - Bass
1992

Self - Performer
1986

Self
1980

Self [Dire Straits]
2018

bass
1988

1998

Himself - Bass, Vocals
1992