It was 32 years ago that Knopfler, John Illsley and Knopfler's brother, David played their first gig outside the block of flats where they lived in Deptford, south-east London.
On December 3 2009, Mark and John were united with their former neighbours for the unveiling of a PRS for Music Heritage Plaque by Ellis Rich, PRS Chairman. The special plaque has been mounted outside the ground floor of Farrer House, Church Street, Deptford, where the Brothers in Arms musicians first tuned up.
"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."- Mark Knopfler
"It’s a real privilege to return under such positive circumstances to the place where Dire Straits were conceived and did their first gig."- John Illsley
