Dire Straits guitarist Jack Sonni has died

Jack Sonni, known as Dire Straits’ “other” guitarist, has died aged 68. However, the cause of death is not yet known. Just last Monday it was announced that Sonni would not be able to play concerts due to health problems. It was the British band who announced the disappearance of their colleague with a post shared on social profiles on both X (Twitter) and Facebook, as well as the group’s website: “Our beloved Jack has a void in our hearts and Souls leave behind…”We will miss you so much, but you will be with us forever,” it reads.

“I sadly learned of Jack Sonni’s death, I enjoyed having him with us on the Brothers in Arms tour, fond memories. RIP Jack,” writes John Illsey, posting a photo of Sonni and Knopfler. Lots of messages from fans and colleagues who have chosen to commemorate the musician in turn: “It is with a heavy heart that I have to announce that my friend and colleague from Dire Straits has left us. Rest in peace, amigo,” were the words of keyboardist Alan Clark. Sonni was born in December 1954 in Indiana and then studied at the conservatory. When he moved to New York in the late 1970s, he founded the band The Leisure Class. In 1978, while working in a music store, he met David and Mark Knopfler, with whom he later became friends.

After recording and touring collaborations with Dire Straits, the American musician then worked with manufacturers of musical instruments and accessories and later also started a career as a writer. In recent years he has played with the original band again.

On May 13, 1985, “Brothers In Arms” was released. Dire Straits’ fifth album became the British band’s most commercially successful and one of their best-selling albums in rock history. Five singles from the album were released within a year, including the hits “Walk Of Life”, “Money For Nothing” and the title track. The success of the songs was also due to the iconic video clips.

The album won a Grammy in 1986 and a Brit Award the following year, stayed at number one in the UK for 14 weeks, in the US for nine weeks and has sold over 30 million copies worldwide.

Read the full article on ANSA.it