Following the disbandment of Dire Straits in 1995, Mark Knopfler embarked on a solo career. Over the years, he released nine studio albums, with some featuring collaborations with former Dire Straits members.
The singer worked with keyboardist Guy Fletcher and drummer Danny Cummings for releases like ‘All the Roadrunning’ and ‘Get Lucky.’ Despite these partnerships, he hasn’t shown any interest in a full-scale band reunion.
According to a 2008 interview with BBC News, former Dire Straits bassist John Illsley stayed in favor of a reunion during his talks with Knopfler, but the vocalist rejected the idea by saying:
“Oh, I don’t know whether to start getting all that stuff back together again.”
During the chat, Illsley noted that Mark was happy with his solo career and had no plans to bring the band back together. On the other hand, the former Dire Straits frontman revealed the one condition that would convince him to a reunion years ago while talking to reporters. He explained:
“I would only do that for a charity. I’m glad I’ve experienced it all – I had a lot of fun with it – but I like things the way they are.”
Before the band fully ended things in the ’90s, they took a break for a while in 1988. Knopfler explained their decision by saying he ‘needed a rest‘ after the ‘Brothers in Arms’ album and the tour following it.
Years later, the singer admitted that he didn’t like the fame Dire Straits brought to him in a chat with the Hay Literary Festival. He said:
“It just got too big. If anyone can tell me one good thing about fame, I’d be very interested to hear it.”
Mark Knopfler released his latest solo album, ‘Down the Road Wherever,’ in 2018 and went on a world tour to support it. Around that period, he hinted that this would be his last trek. But later, the musician told his audience that he would go on giving live performances.