Mark was born the 12. August. 1949 in Glasgow, Scotland. He grew up in Newcastle together with his younger brother David. Mark and David was very interested in music, and they played music themselves too. Mark played Piano and Violin, but changed to guitar later. Mark studied at Leeds university. When he was through with that, he started as a journalist for "Yorkshire Evening Post". At the same time he worked as a lector in London. He shared a flat with his brother and John E. Illsley before they started the group. In November 1983, he married Lourdes Salmon, who gave birth to twins in January 1988. After the end of Dire Straits, he worked by himself. In March 1996 he released the album «Golden heart».

David was born the 27th December 1952 in Glasgow, and grew up in Newcastle with his older brother Mark. David had a piano, a guitar, and a drumkit at age 11 in his bedroom, so it is not suprising that David was a master of all instruments he used. When he was 14, he wrote and performed his own songs in folk clubs. He shared a flat with his brother and their friend John E. Illsley before they started the group. David has always been a relaxed person with a disciplined attitude to his work. David said himself that he believes in success without fame, and happiness without hype or glory. David has had great success after he quitted in Dire Straits. He has given out many albums such as: «Small mercies», «The giver» and «Cut the wire». Although he has a bit of the Dire Straits style, he varying artist. In the same album you can see many music genres. He does not use the guitar so much anymore, unlike his brother.

John Edward Illsley: John was born the 24th June 1949 in Leicester. John E.Illsley was Mark and David`s best friend. He is actually known for his kindness, and it seems like all the news-reporters who have interviewed him liked him. Illsley played with Dire Straits from the beginning to the end of Dire Straits, and after that he gave out some solo albums himself.