SPOILERS: John Illsley will publish a book about Dire Straits

[Knopflerfan]

Please don't spoil any details!

I’ve put a spoiler tag on the thread, people should stay away until they have read it.

It’s a short book so won’t take long.

Not long at all!!!

[Jules]

Please don't spoil any details!

There is no way to spoil as we know more or less the 90% of the story John tells, and some of the things in the book are not really what happened but his view, or the interpretation that made the person who wrote the book after the conversation with John.

For example, the "reason" why Terry wasn't on OES is not true, according to Terry. And I'm not telling what the book says, but what the book says is not the truth according to Terry.

[herlock]

Please don't spoil any details!

There is no way to spoil as we know more or less the 90% of the story John tells, and some of the things in the book are not really what happened but his view, or the interpretation that made the person who wrote the book after the conversation with John.

For example, the "reason" why Terry wasn't on OES is not true, according to Terry. And I'm not telling what the book says, but what the book says is not the truth according to Terry.

Huh ? The book does not actually state any reason for it... I was curious about that too, I have the book in electronic format, I searched all the occurences of "Terry" and could not find any reason stated..
By the way what did Terry say the reason was ? Can't remember. Just remember Guy stating on his forum that "Terry did not meet the grade for OES" which I find it hard to swallow. Terry would have been a much better choice than Chris Withen IMHO.

[quizzaciously]

Please don't spoil any details!

There is no way to spoil as we know more or less the 90% of the story John tells, and some of the things in the book are not really what happened but his view, or the interpretation that made the person who wrote the book after the conversation with John.

For example, the "reason" why Terry wasn't on OES is not true, according to Terry. And I'm not telling what the book says, but what the book says is not the truth according to Terry.

Huh ? The book does not actually state any reason for it... I was curious about that too, I have the book in electronic format, I searched all the occurences of "Terry" and could not find any reason stated..
By the way what did Terry say the reason was ? Can't remember. Just remember Guy stating on his forum that "Terry did not meet the grade for OES" which I find it hard to swallow. Terry would have been a much better choice than Chris Withen IMHO.

Terry not "jazzy" enough? To be honest, I'm not interested a lot in relationships within a band, I hope to read more about lifestyle, songs, etc. But I'm not expecting much, in fact, I expect to learn nothing new.

[Jules]

Please don't spoil any details!

There is no way to spoil as we know more or less the 90% of the story John tells, and some of the things in the book are not really what happened but his view, or the interpretation that made the person who wrote the book after the conversation with John.

For example, the "reason" why Terry wasn't on OES is not true, according to Terry. And I'm not telling what the book says, but what the book says is not the truth according to Terry.

Huh ? The book does not actually state any reason for it... I was curious about that too, I have the book in electronic format, I searched all the occurences of "Terry" and could not find any reason stated..
By the way what did Terry say the reason was ? Can't remember. Just remember Guy stating on his forum that "Terry did not meet the grade for OES" which I find it hard to swallow. Terry would have been a much better choice than Chris Withen IMHO.

The book says that Terry left the band after the Mandela concert, which is wrong because Terry was at the Newcastle 89 charity gig and according to him, he never left the band, he heard that DS were back in the press and then he realised that, apparently, he wasn't part of the band anymore... and he wasn't. He called his manager, his manager called Bicknell, and they knew that way that DS had a new drummer and he won't be part of the last years of the band.

[NicoMK]

Please don't spoil any details!

There is no way to spoil as we know more or less the 90% of the story John tells, and some of the things in the book are not really what happened but his view, or the interpretation that made the person who wrote the book after the conversation with John.

For example, the "reason" why Terry wasn't on OES is not true, according to Terry. And I'm not telling what the book says, but what the book says is not the truth according to Terry.

I don't intend to read the book for now or at least I don't mind being spoiled so, if spoilers are allowed here, what was the "real" reason why both Terry and Hal left the band?

And also, admitting that John Illsley didn't write the book, why is the book under his name? It's true though that I can't see any mention of the book on John's site.

It could well have been something like : "My life in Dire Straits" by XXX with the help of John Illsely so I don't quite get it here 

[NicoMK]

The book says that Terry left the band after the Mandela concert, which is wrong because Terry was at the Newcastle 89 charity gig and according to him, he never left the band, he heard that DS were back in the press and then he realised that, apparently, he wasn't part of the band anymore... and he wasn't. He called his manager, his manager called Bicknell, and they knew that way that DS had a new drummer and he won't be part of the last years of the band.

Well, if it's true it's harsh, to say the least. I don't know MK and co so I can't comment for sure but, would it be true, I wouldn't be too surprised. There are a lot of band members departures that have remained a complete mystery over the years : David, Hal, Terry, Jack, Chad, as good as it gets. Not to mention the eviction of musicians like Bobby Valentino, Danny C. or Chris White who was still on the KTGC record. And then…?

Have I forgotten someone?

[herlock]

Please don't spoil any details!

There is no way to spoil as we know more or less the 90% of the story John tells, and some of the things in the book are not really what happened but his view, or the interpretation that made the person who wrote the book after the conversation with John.

For example, the "reason" why Terry wasn't on OES is not true, according to Terry. And I'm not telling what the book says, but what the book says is not the truth according to Terry.

Huh ? The book does not actually state any reason for it... I was curious about that too, I have the book in electronic format, I searched all the occurences of "Terry" and could not find any reason stated..
By the way what did Terry say the reason was ? Can't remember. Just remember Guy stating on his forum that "Terry did not meet the grade for OES" which I find it hard to swallow. Terry would have been a much better choice than Chris Withen IMHO.

The book says that Terry left the band after the Mandela concert, which is wrong because Terry was at the Newcastle 89 charity gig and according to him, he never left the band, he heard that DS were back in the press and then he realised that, apparently, he wasn't part of the band anymore... and he wasn't. He called his manager, his manager called Bicknell, and they knew that way that DS had a new drummer and he won't be part of the last years of the band.

I see, thanks. If that's true that's really bad...

[Jules]

Please don't spoil any details!

There is no way to spoil as we know more or less the 90% of the story John tells, and some of the things in the book are not really what happened but his view, or the interpretation that made the person who wrote the book after the conversation with John.

For example, the "reason" why Terry wasn't on OES is not true, according to Terry. And I'm not telling what the book says, but what the book says is not the truth according to Terry.

I don't intend to read the book for now or at least I don't mind being spoiled so, if spoilers are allowed here, what was the "real" reason why both Terry and Hal left the band?

And also, admitting that John Illsley didn't write the book, why is the book under his name? It's true though that I can't see any mention of the book on John's site.

It could well have been something like : "My life in Dire Straits" by XXX with the help of John Illsely so I don't quite get it here 

About Terry, I mentioned in a previous post.

About Hal, is too surreal to explain without reading.

Biographies are usually not written by the person, are usually made through a conversatio and the writer takes notes and record it to then type it into what would be the book. It's not like writing really but transcribing the notes and recordings, and that sometimes leds to write things that are not exactly what the person said, as usually what is written has to follow a "style" that can be readable. Who does that usually works for the book company who publish it.

Also, the person usually takes a read to correct mistakes. That didn't happen this time, so there are mistakes in the book and also some things written in a way that John doesn't like, but it was too late to correct.

[Jules]

Please don't spoil any details!

There is no way to spoil as we know more or less the 90% of the story John tells, and some of the things in the book are not really what happened but his view, or the interpretation that made the person who wrote the book after the conversation with John.

For example, the "reason" why Terry wasn't on OES is not true, according to Terry. And I'm not telling what the book says, but what the book says is not the truth according to Terry.

Huh ? The book does not actually state any reason for it... I was curious about that too, I have the book in electronic format, I searched all the occurences of "Terry" and could not find any reason stated..
By the way what did Terry say the reason was ? Can't remember. Just remember Guy stating on his forum that "Terry did not meet the grade for OES" which I find it hard to swallow. Terry would have been a much better choice than Chris Withen IMHO.

The book says that Terry left the band after the Mandela concert, which is wrong because Terry was at the Newcastle 89 charity gig and according to him, he never left the band, he heard that DS were back in the press and then he realised that, apparently, he wasn't part of the band anymore... and he wasn't. He called his manager, his manager called Bicknell, and they knew that way that DS had a new drummer and he won't be part of the last years of the band.

Well, if it's true it's harsh, to say the least.

Jack Sonni knew he was out of the band in a similar way, after not being able to attend the Mandela concert as he was having their twin girls born, he knew MK was in town and was expecting his calling, but he didn't call him, so Jack call MK and he was not available for his old friend, and then nothing. In Jack's case, it was really hard as Mk and him were friends. Terry was a hired musician after all, but Jack was a friend.

[NicoMK]

The book says that Terry left the band after the Mandela concert, which is wrong because Terry was at the Newcastle 89 charity gig and according to him, he never left the band, he heard that DS were back in the press and then he realised that, apparently, he wasn't part of the band anymore... and he wasn't. He called his manager, his manager called Bicknell, and they knew that way that DS had a new drummer and he won't be part of the last years of the band.

If MK wanted to record the OES record with other drummers -- which actually happened -- well, fair enough. Considering the fact that neither Jeff Porcaro nor Manu Katche wanted to go on tour, I don't understand why Mark didn't asked Terry W. to re-join the band in the first place. And I'm saying this not being a huge fan of Terry's style.

But I think it would have been honest form Mark and management to proceed that way.

I'm saying this but once again none of us (to my knowledge) knew what really happened in the band. Even today we don't really know…

[quizzaciously]

The book says that Terry left the band after the Mandela concert, which is wrong because Terry was at the Newcastle 89 charity gig and according to him, he never left the band, he heard that DS were back in the press and then he realised that, apparently, he wasn't part of the band anymore... and he wasn't. He called his manager, his manager called Bicknell, and they knew that way that DS had a new drummer and he won't be part of the last years of the band.

If MK wanted to record the OES record with other drummers -- which actually happened -- well, fair enough. Considering the fact that neither Jeff Porcaro or Manu Katche wanted to go on tour, I don't understand why Mark asked Terry W. to re-join the band in the first place. And I'm saying this not being a huge fan of Terry's style.

But I think it would have been honest form Mark and management to proceed that way.

I'm saying this but once again none of us (to my knowledge) knew what really happened in the band. Even today we don't really know…

Sometimes things just happen, not always for a particular reason. I've had numerous relationships in my life that just "ended", no reasons, no nothing, so it's safe to say sometimes even the parties involved don't know the reason for the breakup. Mark seems like the guy who would not always care about getting overly sentimental about and thinking too much about some people around since he's quite busy. And I believe some people are simply expecting too much from MK, this including his fans, haha

[superval99]

I won't be buying the book, especially with so many inaccuracies and the fact that John may not have written it himself, which is disappointing.

[qjamesfloyd]

Is the copywrite given to John Illsley?

[skydiver]

I won't be buying the book, especially with so many inaccuracies and the fact that John may not have written it himself, which is disappointing.

Maybe get the audiobook version. Apart from the contents and inaccuaries it is worth to listen to Mark's and John's voices.