On February 10, 1986, Joan Armatrading presented the award for ‘Best British Group’ to Dire Straits at The BRIT Awards. The venue was located in the Grosvenor House Hotel in London, The United Kingdom and it was hosted by Noel Edmonds.
In February of 1986 when Dire Straits received their BRIT Award for the Best British Group, the ceremony was broadcasted live on TV. At that time the band was on their last leg of the Brothers in Arms World Tour in Australia, so they could not collect the award by themselves as the band. Because of that Mark Knopfler asked his music idol and guitar hero Hank B. Marvin to receive the award on behalf of Dire Straits, which he did.
In the video below you can see how Mark Knopfler thanked the viewers for voting Dire Strats as Best British Group. Mark said: “Hello, sorry we can’t be with you tonight. But as you can see we are here in Australia rehearsing for the last leg of our world tour. Thanks very much for voting us Best British Group and BPI Awards. Thanks for voting.”
Then, Hank Marvin came on the stage to accept the award and also he gave his short speech in which he clearly showed his appreciation for the band, and he said:
“I’ve always wanted to accept one of these, and it gives me great, great pleasure to do so on behalf of a group that I think have thrilled us all over the last few years. When I saw that they had been nominated, I felt very happy for them and when Mark called me last week from Australia I felt very touched because he reversed the charges. But, I feel really ecstatic that they’ve won this. I’m sure many things more in the coming years because they’re a band who’ve made it throughout the world on talent on the strength of their music, on the quality of their music. So, long live Dire Straits, thank you on their behalf.”
Beside Dire Straits, the same year Phil Collins got his award for Best British Album, Bruce Springsteen for Best International Solo Artist, as well as Sir Elton John for Outstanding Contribution. The BRIT Awards have seen Dire Straits up for numerous awards over the years.
The following year, in February 1987 Dire Straits won another BRIT Award for Best British Album.
Mark Knopfler received the award from Robert Plant (Led Zeppelin) in the category “Best British Album.” Mark was very surprised that he is the winner since this BRIT Award was held in 1987 and the album Brothers in Arms is from 1985. The video below is from the ceremony in 1987.
“It’s just a little bit strange, is 1987 now and that record was made in 1985. But it’s very nice recognition and thanks for all your votes and it’s much appreciated. Thank you very much,” Mark Knopfler said.
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