Dire Straits Guitarist Jack Sonni Dead at 68

Former Dire Straits guitarist, Jack Sonni has died at age 68. His contributions can be heard on the band’s 1985 album, Brothers In Arms, which has sold over 30 million copies.

Sonni was known as the “other guitarist” alongside frontman Mark Knopfler. He toured with the band in 1985-1986 and played synthesizer on the song “The Man’s Too Strong”.

Knopfler posted his condolences: “He joined us on tour during the Brothers in Arms era and took to life on the road with the band like a fish to water. Jack made friends wherever he went and will be missed by his many pals worldwide. Our thoughts are with his family at this time.”

The two met and became friends in 1980, when Knopfler walked into a guitar shop in New York where Sonni worked. Five years later he asked Sonni to record and go on the road with Dire Straits. He was scheduled to go back out on the road with Straits mid-September.

In 1988, Sonni decided to spend more time with his three daughters and became vice president of marketing for Guitar Center. The cause of death was not revealed.

TL;DR:

• Former Dire Straits guitarist, Jack Sonni has died at age 68.
• His contributions can be heard on the band’s 1985 album, Brothers In Arms.