This is exactly what allows the performances to feel alive and fresh. Because of his respect for Mark, Terence is able to perform these songs in a very honest way that allows his energy and talent to come through. I think this is the very essence of why the fans have been so accepting of what we do. In Terence Reis, I think we may have found the only person on the planet that is able to play and sing like Mark, but maintain his own integrity and identity. “When I was first approached to put together a band to play the Dire Straits songs at the Albert Hall, I didn’t believe it would be possible to find someone who would be able to stand in Mark’s shoes without sounding like an imposter. So many people still want to experience this live.”Īnd of the years playing alongside Mark Knopfler? Chris appreciates that it was always going to be an almost impossible task to bring any sense of authenticity to these extraordinary pieces of music without Mark Knopfler. Also, it is fantastic to make new friends among the many young people who are now discovering Mark and Dire Straits. It has been so great to reconnect with people I last saw in 1992 and see them still getting so much from this music. Dire Straits have the most amazingly loyal fan base. “I have been truly amazed and, frankly, humbled by the response we have had from the fans on hearing these songs again. Having experienced the audience response to a live Dire Straits show at the height of the band’s popularity, he speaks fondly of the fans today. He went on to play on the final Dire Straits album, On Every Street, and was again part of the two-year world tour that produced the live On The Night album and DVD. This included their performance at Live Aid and, later, the Nelson Mandela 70 th Birthday concert in 1988. Between them they have worked with an enviable list of rock royalty that includes, amongst others, Mark Knopfler, Eric Clapton, Paul McCartney, Sam Brown, Elton John, Joe Cocker, Nik Kershaw, George Michael, Jamiroquai, The Killers, The Waterboys, Mick Jagger, Tina Turner, Midge Ure, Albert Lee and Tom Jones.Ĭhris White, who worked with Mark Knopfler from the early ‘80s on film scores, joined Dire Straits for their record-breaking Brothers In Arms world tour in 1985.
Joining them is a stellar band of some of the finest professional musicians the UK has to offer.
However, an invitation to play a series of shows in New Zealand and Australia has seen Chris White and Terence Reis collaborating again for the Dire Straits Experience. By the time The Straits ended, three and a half years later, the band had played more than 150 shows in 25 countries around the world.
With the prolific Knopfler enjoying an incredibly successful solo career, Alan Clark called upon the singer songwriter, Terence Reis to front the band in his absence. It was against the backdrop of a more than two-decade break - and an increasing demand to hear one of the most dramatic songbooks in rock history played live again – that former members of Dire Straits, Alan Clark, Chris White and Phil Palmer formed The Straits for a charity show at The Royal Albert Hall in 2011.