John Illsley, the bassist from Dire Straits, has been through the whole of the band’s meteoric rise to fame. Alongside Mark Knopfler, Illsley was the only original member still in the band when it ended in the early 1990s. However, the hopes of one organisation were dashed when Dire Straits were inducted into the Hall of Fame.
Dire Straits were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame just two years ago.
The honour, which has been extended to incredible artists such as Elvis Presley, James Brown and David Bowie, is doled out by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation.
The decision of who is inducted is made by the fans, meaning they vote on who they would like to see included.
In 2018, it was the turn of Dire Straits, who were once considered one of the biggest bands in the world.
Speaking exclusively to Express.co.uk, bass player John Illsley has explained why the occasion did not go quite as planned.
Illsley first addressed the honour of being included, also referencing some of the “problems” which arose.
He said: “It’s quite an American thing and I don’t think people realise how big it is…
“It was quite an unusual experience to say the least it didn’t really work out how they wanted it to or how we wanted it to… but deep down it’s an acknowledgement by the business, more than anything else, of the history of music.
“That you’re part of a journey for everybody and you can’t really be churlish about it. It’s a very nice thing to be included in.
“It had its problems doing it because it’s a very political organisation, but that would be a long conversation.”
Asked whether the team behind the Hall of Fame expected a Dire Straits reunion, Illsley continued: “Yes, well of course, that’s because they didn’t read the situation properly.
“They thought, ‘If I just say we’d like these people to come, then suddenly everybody in the band from 40 years ago would suddenly say, ‘Oh yeah that’s a great idea, yeah love to see them again.’’
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“Life isn’t like that. And there’re quite a few bands I’ve discovered in the past who said, ‘No, I’m not doing that.’
“So we weren’t the only ones who had problems in that respect. But it was nice to be included.”
At the time of the Hall of Fame induction, various publications took to describing the event as “awkward” given the decision of Mark Knopfler, the band’s frontman, not to attend.
Speaking at the time of Knopfler’s absence, Illsley described it as “a personal thing,” not giving much more information.
But in an earlier interview, with Billboard, Illsley revealed: “He just didn’t feel like coming, it’s as simple as that. It just didn’t appeal to him, and I appealed to him on several occasions.”
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Publication Stereo Gum also highlighted another reason why the induction was “awkward,” given that the band nor a tribute act performed in their honour.
As well as this, a celebrity is often brought on to introduce them, which was also not the case for Dire Straits.
Despite this, no one can deny the incredible work done by Dire Straits in the music business, and how well loved they are by their fans and musical colleagues.
Illsley, himself a painter and pub owner as well as a musician, has begun writing his own music since the band’s break up, while also performing a live speaking tour of his show, The Life and Times of Dire Straits.
Illsley had his first exhibition in 2007, with his subjects changing dependent on his inspiration.
His pub, East End Arms, situated between Leamington and Beaulieu in Hampshire, has been listed as one of the 50 Best Pubs around Britain, and he also is a partner in two hotels.
Of course, Illsley still holds music close, and makes regular music which he performs with a new band, as well as playing previous Dire Straits hits.
Tickets for John’s tour can be found here
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