John Illsley

John Edward Illsley born 24 June 1949 is an English musician best known as bass guitarist of the rock band Dire Straits With it he has received multiple BRIT and Grammy Awards and a Heritage Award As one of the founding band members with guitarist brothers Mark and David Knopfler and drummer Pick Withers Illsley played a role in the development of Dire Straits sound By the time the group disbanded in 1995 changes in personnel meant that Illsley and lead singer Mark Knopfler were the only two original band members remaining Illsley was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Dire Straits in 2018 Illsley has produced two albums of his own with Mark Knopfler as a guest musician and has helped with Marks personal projects and charities He released two more albums influenced by the Celticbased band Cunla