Dire Straits’ former guitarist Jack Sonni, who played on Brothers in Arms tour, dead at 68

Jack Sonni, former Dire Straits guitar player, has died at age 68.

The news came as former band members of the famous 1980s British rock band went on tour around Europe, North America and South America as Dire Straits Legacy (DSL).

DSL told fans on Facebook that Sonni had to pull out due to health problems – just two days before his death was announced.

Sonni is better known as “the other guitarist” during Dire Straits’ Brothers in Arms world tour where he wore an iconic red coat.

Following the birth of his daughters, Sonni officially retired in 1988 and only joined the Dire Straits Legacy a few years after they had established.

He also hosted a radio program in his final years.

Career history

The American musician, writer and marketing executive was born in Indiana, Pennsylvania.

His passion for music started at a young age where he learned to play various instruments.

“My first instrument was piano at age 8. Then I played trumpet for three years before finally getting my first guitar when I was 14. Once I picked it up, I never put it down,” he said in a 2010 interview with the Norwegian Fan club.

Sonni moved to New York in 1977 to advance his music career where he actively performed at gigs for the next 10 years.

He joined Dire Straits after getting acquainted with band lead vocalist and guitarist Mark Knopfler, whom he met while working at a guitar shop.

Alongside other members, they performed 248 shows in 23 countries in 1985 to promote their Brothers in Arms album.

The album later topped the charts in a dozen countries such as the United States and Australia, with more than 30 million copies sold worldwide.

Tributes flood social media

Former band members and fans took to social media to share their tributes.