Some moments from music history become legendary not because of what happened on stage, but because of the stories that happen behind the scenes.
For Dire Straits fans, a fascinating example comes from 1981, when the band visited Australia during their Making Movies era. A Sydney press conference created an unforgettable moment that later became known as “The Sultans of Sulk.”
Originally published by The Sydney Morning Herald on April 7, 1981, the article captured the unusual atmosphere surrounding Dire Straits’ meeting with the Australian media.
Thanks to the newspaper archives, fans today can look back at a unique moment. A moment from the early years of one of the world’s most respected rock bands.
Dire Straits During the Making Movies Era
By 1981, Dire Straits had already established themselves as one of the most interesting bands in British rock music.
Their first two albums, Dire Straits and Communiqué, introduced audiences to Mark Knopfler’s distinctive guitar style and storytelling approach. Their third album, Making Movies, continued that evolution with songs such as “Tunnel of Love” and “Romeo and Juliet.”
The band arrived in Australia as part of their international touring schedule, performing to enthusiastic audiences across the country.
However, when it came time to face the press in Sydney, the atmosphere was very different from the excitement surrounding their concerts.
The Famous Sydney Press Conference
According to the 1981 report, the members of Dire Straits appeared quiet and uncomfortable during the media event. The journalist described the band as being almost silent, despite their success and growing popularity around the world.
When asked how the group got their name, drummer Pick Withers explained that the phrase “dire straits” represented a difficult situation affecting the Western world.
The band was also asked about the development of their musical style between albums. When Mark Knopfler was questioned about Communiqué and Making Movies compared with the debut album, his brief response “What album?”. That became one of the most memorable moments from the interview.
A Different Side of Mark Knopfler and Dire Straits
The press conference showed another side of Dire Straits. While the band was known for powerful live performances and Mark Knopfler’s incredible songwriting, the musicians were never known for being a typical celebrity rock group.
Mark Knopfler, John Illsley, Pick Withers, Alan Clark, and Hal Lindes preferred focusing on music rather than publicity.
The article also mentioned that the band had experienced difficult encounters with the press in other countries. These experiences might have influenced the strict organization of their media appearances.
The organizers limited photography time and requested that questions were directed toward the entire band rather than individual members.
The Relationship Between Dire Straits and the Media
Despite the uncomfortable Sydney press conference, Dire Straits clarified that they had not banned journalists from attending their concerts.
Pick Withers explained that the band had previously enjoyed a positive relationship with the British press. Mark Knopfler also expressed his view that journalists were free to write what they wanted, as long as the relationship remained respectful.
This attitude reflected the band’s personality throughout their career: private, focused on music, and less interested in creating a traditional rock-star image.
A Fascinating Piece of Dire Straits History
More than 40 years later, this 1981 article remains a fascinating snapshot of Dire Straits during an important period of their career.
The “Sultans of Sulk” story does not represent the music itself, but it offers fans a rare look at the personalities behind one of rock’s greatest bands.
From the success of Making Movies to their legendary performances around the world, moments like this help complete the bigger story of Dire Straits.
For fans interested in the history, personality, and journey of the band, this retro article is a fascinating trip back to 1981.
Source: Google Books: The Sydney Morning Herald – April 7, 1981
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