1985's Essential Rock Albums 1985's Essential Rock Albums Music became ubiquitous during the decade. Our immersion was total, and the buy-in authentic. Gary GraffGary Graff
Best '80s Album: Round 2Best '80s Album: Round 2After scoring some impressive round-one victories, 16 albums move on to even tougher battles. Matthew WilkeningMatthew Wilkening
Dire Straits Add 1985 Live Album to Expanded ‘Brothers in Arms’Dire Straits Add 1985 Live Album to Expanded ‘Brothers in Arms’The three-disc set included the band's full 1985 concert in San Antonio. Matthew WilkeningMatthew Wilkening
UCR March Madness BracketUCR March Madness BracketThirty-two classic albums got a spot in our bracket. Only one gets to dress like Freddie Mercury! Matthew WilkeningMatthew Wilkening
Why Mark Knopfler Still Doesn’t Consider Himself a SingerWhy Mark Knopfler Still Doesn’t Consider Himself a SingerHe also reveals the rock legend who helped him feel comfortable with his voice. Corey IrwinCorey Irwin
Dire Straits Turned Down Reunion Dire Straits Turned Down Reunion Bassist John Illsley also details how "emotionally exhausted" the band was in the days before their breakup. Corey IrwinCorey Irwin
Former Dire Straits Guitarist Jack Sonni Dead at 68Former Dire Straits Guitarist Jack Sonni Dead at 68Sonni was best known as "the other guitarist" on the band's Brothers in Arms tour. Matthew WilkeningMatthew Wilkening
How a Real Dixie Band Inspired Dire Straits’ ‘Sultans of Swing’How a Real Dixie Band Inspired Dire Straits’ ‘Sultans of Swing’Mark Knopfler stepped into a London pub one evening and discovered the subject of a hit song. Allison RappAllison Rapp
40 Years Ago: Dire Straits Ramps Up on ‘Love Over Gold’40 Years Ago: Dire Straits Ramps Up on ‘Love Over Gold’Three years later, the multiplatinum 'Brothers in Arms' would turn them into superstars.Gary GraffGary Graff
Why Vince Gill Turned Down Mark Knopfler’s Offer to Join Dire StraitsWhy Vince Gill Turned Down Mark Knopfler’s Offer to Join Dire StraitsTempting phone call came decades before he'd join the Eagles.Allison RappAllison Rapp