Dire Straits, British rock group created in Deptford (south-east of London) during the summer of 1977 by Mark Knopfler (lead guitar and vocals), his brother David Knopfler (rhythm guitar), John Illsley (bass) and Pick Withers ( battery). Considered one of the biggest rock groups of the 1980s, Dire Straits have sold more than 120 million albums since their debut. Focus on a musical phenomenon.