Legendary British Rock band Dire Straits are to be honoured by the new PRS for Music Heritage Award.
A special plaque will be erected at Farrer House, Church Street, Deptford where the original group, vocalist and lead guitarist Mark Knopfler, rhythm guitarist and vocalist David Knopfler, bass guitarist and vocalist John Illsley and drummer and percussionist Pick Withers once shared a council flat and performed their first ever gig in 1977.
Founding members Mark Knopfler and John Illsley will be there to see the plaque unveiled in Deptford on Thursday 3rd December at 11.00am.
The Chairman of PRS, Ellis Rich said: 'We’re delighted to be honouring Dire Straits with our Heritage Award. During their illustrious career Dire Straits sold over 120 million albums and won numerous awards, and it’s humbling to think it all began in a council flat in Deptford.'
'We hope that their remarkable success serves as inspiration to a whole new generation of musicians.'
Mark Knopfler said 'I'm honoured and delighted that the birthplace of Dire Straits should be marked in this way in Deptford as part of London's history.'
John Illsley added 'It’s a real privilege to return under such positive circumstances to the place where Dire Straits were conceived and did their first gig'.
Their albums include: Dire Straits (1978), Communique (1979), Making Movies (1980), Love over Gold (1982), Brothers in Arms (1985), On Every Street (1991).
Dire Straits have sold in excess of 120 million albums. They’ve won three BRIT awards, four Grammy Awards and two MTV Video Music awards.
Anyone who was present at the first gig and is interested in attending the plaque unveiling ceremony or has photos of the performance should contact heritageplaque@prsformusic.com and will receive an official invite.
For more information please go to www.prsformusic.com/heritageaward