For many Dire Straits fans, the Rockpalast 1979 concert represents one of the most important live performances from the band’s early career.
Recorded on February 16, 1979, at WDR Studio L in Cologne (Köln), Germany, this legendary concert captured Dire Straits during the moment when they were transforming from a promising British rock band into an international success.
The full performance, lasting approximately 1 hour and 25 minutes, shows Mark Knopfler and the original Dire Straits lineup delivering an unforgettable set filled with songs from their debut album Dire Straits and early unreleased live favorites.
What Is Rockpalast?
Rockpalast is one of the most respected live music television programs in European music history.
Produced by Westdeutscher Rundfunk (WDR) in Germany, the show first premiered in 1974 and became famous for presenting some of the greatest rock, blues, and alternative artists from around the world.
Over the years, Rockpalast recorded legendary performances from many influential musicians, making the program an important archive of live music history.
For Dire Straits, their appearance in 1979 became one of the most memorable concerts from their early years.
Dire Straits in 1979 – The Beginning of Worldwide Success
The Rockpalast concert took place shortly after the release of Dire Straits’ debut album in 1978.
At that time, the band was gaining international attention thanks to the success of “Sultans of Swing”, the song that introduced Mark Knopfler’s unique guitar style to millions of listeners.
The band’s simple but powerful combination of blues, rock, and storytelling songwriting quickly separated them from many other artists of the era.
The Cologne performance shows Dire Straits before worldwide stadium fame, performing with the energy and confidence of a young band that was beginning an extraordinary journey.
Mark Knopfler and the Legendary “Sultans of Swing” Performance
One of the most interesting moments from this concert happened during the performance of “Sultans of Swing.”
According to information shared from the concert archive, Mark Knopfler was not completely satisfied with the first performance of the song. Because of this, the band played “Sultans of Swing” again at the end of the show, creating the famous reprise version included in the broadcast.
This moment perfectly shows Knopfler’s attention to detail and his desire to deliver the best possible performance.
The concert also captures his unique fingerstyle guitar technique, relaxed stage presence, and the musical chemistry between the original members of Dire Straits.
Dire Straits Rockpalast 1979 Setlist
The complete concert includes many songs from the band’s early period:
- “Down To The Waterline”
- “Six Blade Knife”
- “Once Upon A Time In The West”
- “Lady Writer”
- “Single Handed Sailor”
- “Water Of Love”
- “In The Gallery”
- “Follow Me Home”
- “News”
- “What’s The Matter Baby?”
- “Lions”
- “Sultans Of Swing”
- “Wild West End”
- “Where Do You Think You’re Going?”
- “Eastbound Train”
- “Sultans Of Swing (Reprise)”
The Original Dire Straits Lineup
This historic performance features the classic early lineup of the band:
Mark Knopfler – guitar and vocals
David Knopfler – guitar and backing vocals
John Illsley – bass and backing vocals
Pick Withers – drums
Together, these four musicians created the foundation of the Dire Straits sound that would later become famous around the world.
A Rare Look at Dire Straits Before Fame
The Rockpalast 1979 concert is special because it captures Dire Straits during a unique period.
The band was already showing incredible musicianship, but they were still performing in an intimate studio environment before becoming one of the biggest rock acts of the 1980s.
For fans of Mark Knopfler, this performance is a fascinating look at the early years of a legendary guitarist and songwriter.
Watch the full Dire Straits Rockpalast 1979 concert below and experience one of the band’s most memorable live performances from the beginning of their career.
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