Uploaded April 2009 | Updated September 2026, 2 hours ago

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"Almost Dire Straits"

Mark Knopfler live from Shepherd's Bush Empire, London 2002.07.23.

This is the first of four charity gigs, this one for "Save the baby". The gig was in two parts, first part with Notting Hillbillies, and second part almost as a Dire Straits reunion, when Chris White join the band together with John Illsley. This was John's first appearance on stage since the last Straits concert, back in October 9th 1992. This was also Danny Cummings' first appearance on drums with Mark on stage, but as you maybe know, he played percussion during the -92 tour.

The band during second half;

Mark Knopfler - guitar, vocal
John Illsley - bass
Danny Cummings - drums
Robbie McIntosh - rhythm guitar
Guy Fletcher - keyboard
Chris White - saxophone
Bobby Valentino - violin