*** Today in rock music history 19 May: Dire Straits 'Sultans of Swing' ***

in music •  6 years ago  (edited)

*** Today in rock music history 19 May: ***
1978, 40 years ago, Dire Straits' debut single "Sultans of Swing" was officially released. However, it did not chart until its re-release in January 1979, when it then reached No. 4 on the US Billboard Chart, and No. 8 on the UK Singles Chart. The song was composed by lead singer/guitarist Mark Knopfler, and originally recorded in July 1977 by the band on a 5-song demo (also including "Water of Love", "Down to the Waterline", "Wild West End", and "Sacred Loving"). A local London radio station put the demo version in rotation, which led executives at Phonogram Records to offer the band a recording contract two months later. The song was then re-recorded in February 1978 for its official label release. Knopfler claimed the song was inspired by an actual jazz band named 'Sultans of Swing', which he once saw perform in a nearly empty pub in Deptford, South London.

Authors get paid when people like you upvote their post.
If you enjoyed what you read here, create your account today and start earning FREE STEEM!