SPOILERS: John Illsley will publish a book about Dire Straits

[dustyvalentino]

https://www.hagerty.co.uk/articles/interviews/the-one-that-got-away-john-illsley-of-dire-straits-and-the-aston-db5-bought-with-his-first-royalty-cheques/

John on cars.

[hunter v2.0]

It's taken me far too long, but I started reading John's book today. The first two-three chapters about John's childhood and family are, frankly speaking, tedious and could have been condensed a great deal. I'm now at where they have signed the deal with Phonogram. This part of the book I'm really enjoying. I know the story very well, but John (and the writer who helped him) has really managed to capture the atmosphere of that era and bring the story to life.

[dustyvalentino]

The first two-three chapters about John's childhood and family are, frankly speaking, tedious and could have been condensed a great deal.

I love biographies/autobiographies but this is the case with nearly every one I read.

Don't bore us, get to the chorus.

[Matchstickman]

Opening chapters about childhoods and neighbours are often sleeping pills.

I enjoyed the book, but the heart of it, and where John's heart is clearly in it, is the early years of the band. He deals with the mammoth OES tour in a few pages, giving much the same impression of that tour as a number of key players. A shame, though, considering the quality of the music and the length of the tour.

[hunter v2.0]

I've just finished reading about the Roxy show. The writing now feels very cursory. A very matter-of-factly account of the events. Like a Wiki article written in first person. And John has a tendency to state the obvious and to tell rather than show. I admit I'm skimming through a lot.

[jbaent]

Yes, it's nice to read the story by someone from the inside, but it's quite disappointing in general.

[hunter v2.0]

OK, John. We get it: Chas Herington was good with the lights. LOL

[hunter v2.0]

Yes, it's nice to read the story by someone from the inside, but it's quite disappointing in general.

Just finished it. John's account of the early years of DS is clearly the best, most inspired part. The rest provides some new information and insights, but nothing essential. I understand it was a balancing act to write this book, particularly since Mark is such a private person, but the result is a pretty bland, superficial account of one the world's biggest bands. I think it was a missed opportunity.