h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Dire Straits, taking their name from their early financial status, are not well known but have done some impressive work. They were part of the trend in the 80's which was taking the world by stealth. Other good examples are Genesis, Chris Rea, Mike & The Mechanics and Pop Tarts.
The man in the middle is Mark Knopfler, he has a unique style of playing the guitar which involves plucking (thats PLUCKING ladies and gentlemen) the guitar like a bango.
Starting off in 1979, their style starting off as moody blues, and then dabbling in all kinds of musical styles. What ever way your musical preferences are, Dire Straits have probably done a single in that style.

How to be a Dire Straits fan:
1. Spell Dire Straits like dIRE sTRAITS
2. Be very moody
3. Pronounce most of their songs in a shortened way i.e Sultans of Swing = Sultans, Brothers in Arms = Brothers
4. When playing air guitar, strum your thigh and shut your eyes
5. Have a very open mind
6. Realise that everybody is entitled to an opionion but they are all wrong.
7. Understand the fundamental concept the opinions are like belly buttons, we all have one but they don't hold much water.