- Jack Sonni, Guitarist for Dire Straits, Passes Away
- Joining the Band and Brothers In Arms
- Legacy and Life Philosophy
In 1984, the guitarist joined the band before the release of Brothers In Arms, which spent 14 non-consecutive weeks at number one on the UK Albums Chart.
The British rock band tweeted “Jack Sonni Rest In Peace” and a photo of him on X.
According to the Dire Straits official blog, he was 68 years old.
Sonni was affectionately referred to as the “other guitar player in Dire Straits” after he joined the band, which was founded in 1977 by Mark and David Knopfler, John Illsley, and Pick Withers.
He met the Knopfler brothers while working in a music store in Manhattan and later visited their residence in London.
He joined the band in 1984 and was on Brothers In Arms, which won international fame in 1985.
The album topped the UK Albums Chart for 14 weeks and the US Billboard 200 for nine.
Walk Of Life, Money For Nothing, and Brothers In Arms were among its most famous tunes.
On his website, the musician is described as “a writer, musician, nomadic raconteur, father, and grandfather who has learned the hard way that life is short.”
“He has adopted a philosophy of living well and in the moment to create memorable moments with friends and family,” the statement continued.
“And he understands the utmost importance of hugging them while you can… because you never know what tomorrow will bring.”
After leaving the Dire Straits, Sonni rejoined The Leisure Class, his late 1970s band.
Additionally, he frequently appeared alongside other former members of Dire Straits for the Dire Straits Legacy initiative.
