Jack Sonni dies at 68: Dire Straits pays tribute to the 'other guitarist'
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Dire Straits' guitarist Jack Sonnie has died at the age of 68. The band made the news public over its social media account, which read, '#JackSonni Rest In Peace #DireStraits.'
The cause of his death has not been revealed yet, but it is believed that it must be because of his prolonged illness. The band’s earlier post indicated Jack’s ongoing health battle. "Dear fans, unfortunately, Jack Sonni will not be able to participate in our next gigs because of health problems. Jack get better soon, we are waiting for you! With love, the DSL family," it read.
#JackSonni 🎸 Rest In Peace 🙏#DireStraits pic.twitter.com/W3vx65bY5h
— Dire Straits 🎸 (@DireStraits77) August 31, 2023
How did he become a member of the group?
Sonni used to work at the famous New York City guitar shop Rudy's Music Stop in the 1970s. He once met The Dire Straits' co-founders David and Mark Knopfler and became a crucial part of it, as per DailyMail.
Jack went on to play alongside the band at the iconic 1985 Live Aid concert at Wembley Stadium. The event with the aim to raise money for the famine that hit Ethiopia.
When did Jack Sonnie leave the band?
Dire Straits walked out in 1995, however, Knopfler has continued his music career as a solo artist.
Many fans were heartbroken to hear about the news, "Let me bid you farewell Every man has to die But it's written in the starlight And every line in your palm We're fools to make war On our brothers in arms," wrote one. The second tweeted,
"I worked at Kramer in the 80’s and Jack would call for parts he needed when doing repairs at Rudy’s. He told me how Mark Knopfler would jam with him at the store when he was in town. Then Mark asks him to join the band. Storybook. Jack was a true gentleman. Godspeed my friend." "Oh hell! It’s so sad I m really angry!! And to think I left a comment today on YouTube saying no one put on the show like him!! ah rock forever you crazy barefoot Count !! ," remembered one fan.
A user joined in with a comment, "I worked at Kramer in the 80’s and Jack would call for parts he needed when doing repairs at Rudy’s. He told me how Mark Knopfler would jam with him at the store when he was in town. Then Mark asks him to join the band. Storybook. Jack was a true gentleman. Godspeed my friend."
"Let me bid you farewellEvery man has to dieBut it's written in the starlightAnd every line in your palmWe're fools to make warOn our brothers in arms"
— Angelo Faravelli (@a_faravelli) August 31, 2023
I worked at Kramer in the 80’s and Jack would call for parts he needed when doing repairs at Rudy’s. He told me how Mark Knopfler would jam with him at the store when he was in town. Then Mark asks him to join the band. Storybook. Jack was a true gentleman. Godspeed my friend.
— Nick Novellino (@NickNovellino55) August 31, 2023
Oh hell! It’s so sad I m really angry!! And to think I left a comment today on YouTube saying no one put on the show like him!! ☹️☹️☹️☹️🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸 ah rock forever you crazy barefoot Count !! 😢
— FRASES-MACDORMAND (@FRASES_MCDORMAN) August 31, 2023
I worked at Kramer in the 80’s and Jack would call for parts he needed when doing repairs at Rudy’s. He told me how Mark Knopfler would jam with him at the store when he was in town. Then Mark asks him to join the band. Storybook. Jack was a true gentleman. Godspeed my friend.
— Nick Novellino (@NickNovellino55) August 31, 2023
