Illsley?

[Fletch]

OK, because this is an open and Free forum... i`d like to ask...

Is there any documented reason why John would be excluded from MKs solo works, tours, etc?
There`s no sarcasm or bitterness in my question, i`m simply curious. Does anyone know any concrete facts or rumours? Is it personal? Professional (is Illsley not good enough)? or other?

I just watched a 92 interview on Youtube with John and then looked him up on Wiki and wondered `How come he`s not in the IN crowd`???

Cheers!

[Pottel]

i guess (just my wild guess at this moment) that it would be "too much" dire straits? maybe a contractual or legal reason? maybe john doesn't wanna? god knows...
anyone knows? would sure like to know that too. good question fletch

[superval99]

I would guess that if John was in the "solo" band it would still be DS in all but name.  We would then have Mark, John, Guy, Danny and sometimes Chris.   Mark regularly changed his rhythm guitarists and drummers anyway.  The only other person missing is Alan.

John did play in the 2002 concerts at Shepherd's Bush and Beaulieu and, apparently,  they are good friends and live close to eachother.

[Rollergirl]

The way I see this is that at the end of DS, both MK and JI had enough, the band was too much, too big. They had to call it a day, and carrying on working together would have not been a clean break. So Mark went on to a build a succesful solo career and John stopped making music for a living and went on to express himself in other ways (painting).

They simply went their separate ways, naturally. I don't think there is more to it than that.
If Mark was looking for a bassist (and when you have Glen Dorf in your band, you don't go looking for somebody else me thinks...) , or a guitarist (again, when you have Richard Bennett in your band.... say no more) and John was available, I don't think there would be a problem in them working together again...

[Pottel]

you mean Glen Whorf, right? 

[superval99]

Or even Worf!   

[Rollergirl]

Glenn Worf, yes, sorry Tottel, I must take my mitts off while typing....

[dustyvalentino]

A couple of factors it seems, firstly MK made a concious effort to work with new musicians on Golden Herat, from what I understand Guy and Danny only came in at the end to add some parts on.

Secondly, and with the greatest of respect to John Illsley, Glen Worf is just better, frankly. And not only is he better on electric, he can do stand up bass too. I know a lot of people will probably attack me for saying that, but if people look at it objectively and not just because of nostalgia for the Straits days, I believe they will see that I am right.

[shangri la 1]

Like you said Dusty. If you look at it objectively and from a pure technical playing ability, view point, then Glen would be my choice as the better all-round bass player.

[Fletch]

Thanks for the info!

Its cool if John and MK are still mates, i just thought it kinda odd he isn`t in the band. Do you think he sits at home and sulks about it? (question is not meant to be serious, just joking)

[LEPI]

Mark and John are quite good friends. Mark is Johns best man on the wedding. Why they do not play together? John didn

[strat61]

As a bassist I think John is a great rocker, it's not techique so much as attitude and don't be fooled by his or others perception of his playing. He has an individual touch and empathy that can't be beat and Glenn is great too of course - I don't know any one who can play sultans like John.

[Fletch]

The stand out bass track for me is Ride Across the River. Deceptively complex syncopated beats.

[dustyvalentino]

The stand out bass track for me is Ride Across the River. Deceptively complex syncopated beats.

I'm not sure that's even JI, Tony Levin was brought in to play bass on some of Brothers in Arms.

Of course MK did bring JI back for the charity gigs in 2002.

I remember on the old Telegraph Road mailing list, somebody reported back that they were standing next to JI at one of the last gigs on the Golden Heart tour, in France I think. They said to him "That should be you up there." and he replied "Maybe next time.", so I don't think there's any doubt that he would come back if MK asked him to.

But it seems they are still very, very close friends, even going so far as living just about next door to each other I think.

[strat61]

Tony Levin just did One World and that was because John hurt his arm. John is Dire Straits  so there's no case for allowing him to play on a Dire Straits gig he would obviously be there. He also had retired from music so when Mark carried on he had to pick a new band cause he'd worn out the the other members