Free Dire Straits Sheet Music Buy Dire Straits Sheet Music Buy Dire Straits Digital Sheet Music Dire Straits CDs Dire Straits Biography Dire Straits performing Live Dire Straits are a British rock band , formed in 1977 by Mark Knopfler (guitar and vocals), David Knopfler (guitar), John Illsley (bass) and Pick Withers (drums), and managed by Ed Bicknell