John Illsley, musician and artist is best known as the bass player and co-founder of the multi-million selling band Dire Straits.
John Illsley and Mark Knopfler were the only founding members to remain in the line-up from 1977 until they decided to call it a day in 1995. Dire Straits were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2018. As a musician John also has 8 solo albums to his credit and since Dire Straits stopped touring has followed his other passion Art, with solo exhibitions in London, New York, Sydney and Europe. John is the recipient of an Ivor Novello award for outstanding contribution to British Music, and multiple Brit and Grammy awards. He also owns a pub The East End Arms in the New Forest.
NEWS | Book review
"I was brought up on this band, it's my dad's favourite so it was inevitable that I was gonna be a Straits head. The insight into the band, how it formed, its troubles and successes described throughout the book, was the missing piece I didn't know I needed in this lifelong fandom.
John Illsley is humble throughout the book and really gives you the ups and downs you look for in a book of this nature. "
To any #direstraits fan, I highly recommend this book you will not be disappointed!
'It was a huge adventure and a hell of a ride, with all its comedy, absurdity, exhaustion, madness and sadness... It was a different world. And John has remembered a pretty big chunk of it.'
MARK KNOPFLER
To see more of this interview click HERE
NEWS
Excerpts from the book...
It's been a Gorgeous Summer! We've had a bumper summer this year and really made the most of the pub since our refurbishment works. Bought in 1990 by me to preserve it for the local community, we have managed to retain its loyal local following while also drawing in visitors from outside the area, attracted by the authentically good food and relaxed atmosphere. We have a great menu, so if you havent been recently, please do pop in. Occasionally I am playing with the band, so if you get a chance to pop by, you may stumble across a jaming session! Just in case you didnt know, you can also book a room and stay the night in one of our cosy bedrooms, and we have serve locally brewed ales. The restaurant is open for food every day apart from Monday & Tuesdays. Recommended by Secret Earth: Proof that John Isley makes as good a restaurateur as he did as the bassist in Dire Straits, the East End Arms has flourished as a revamped New Forest hostelry, serving up good, hearty pub grub. The menu is all about simple things done well; a classic burger, sausages from the local butcher served up with fluffy mash, home-cured salmon gravadlax. In a world of one-size-fits-all gastropubs, the East End Arms is refreshingly old school. If you would like to request a table for the restaurant, please either phone us on 01590 626 223 or send us an email info@eastendarms.co.uk . Please note that your booking is not guaranteed until you are contacted by a member of staff either by phone or email. We are based in the beautiful New Forest, and not far from Lymington. Maybe see you there! East End Arms Menu Something To Share Charcuterie Platter with a Selection of Local Cured Meats, Olives, Hummus & Bread Stick Dorset Bresaola, Wild Venison Chorizo, Pink Purbeck Cider Salami, White Pepper & Pork Salami, Dorset Chorizo Picante & Hartgrave Coppa 9.25 pp New Forest Blyton Brie, Roasted Grapes, Candied Pecans & French Baguette 14.50 Starter Langoustines Alla Busara & Sourdough Bread 11.50 Beef Carpaccio, Walnuts Micro Herbs & Roquefort Cheese 10.95 Charred Mackerel & Tomato Ceviche 8.50 New Forest Roasted Tomato Soup, Basil Oil & Charred Sourdough 7.25 Mains Fillet of Brill, Lobster Broth, Mussels & King Scallops 27.95 Seared Rare Tuna, Pea & Carrot Puree & Sake Ponzu Dressing 24.95 Fish & Chips, Hand Cut Chips, Minted Mushy Peas & Tartar Sauce 16.45 Lamb Loin, Parmesan Risotto & Roasted Shallots 20.95 New Forest Chicken Burger, Goats Cheese, Prosciutto Ham & Roasted Peppers. Choose Between Homemade Chips or Courgette Fries 17.50 Puy Lentils, Avocado, Pomegranate & Walnut Salad VE 14.25 Charred Squid Toast Chermoula, Salad & Lemon Vinaigrette 17.95 Sides Seasonal Vegetables | Tomato & Mozzarella Salad 5.50 Onion Rings | Skinny Fries | Homemade Chips | House Salad 3.75 New Forest Goats Cheese, Olives, Roast Pepper, Chilli & Garlic Salad 6.50
April - May 2022 UK Tour - 15 Venues across the UK
Dire Straits filled giant stadiums around the world and sold hundreds of millions of records.
Our 8th Studio Album VIII.
So pleased to be sharing it with you. 🎸
8th Studio Album VIII
It's A Long Way Back
I Love You Still
21st Century
Market Town
The Mission Song
Wondering
Which Way Is Up
None Of This Was Planned
I'm Only Sleeping
