A Drab Band Playing in an Empty Pub
Dire Straits landed a US recording contract with Warner Bros, and before the closing of 1978, they managed to release their debut album worldwide. They were topping the charts in Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Eventually, they hit the Top 10 in every European country.
Princess Diana and Prince Charles With Dire Straits. Photo By Richard Young/Shutterstock
The inspiration for their first big hit, Sultans of Swing, came from seeing a jazz band play in the corner of a nearly empty pub in Deptford, South London. The lead singer of this pub band announced that they were the “Sultans of Swing.” Mark Knopfler found it amusing – the contrast between the band’s drab look and surroundings and their lavish name. Clearly, the name stuck in his head.