Born on 24 June 1949, in Leicester, Illsley was the bass player for the British rock band Dire Straits. Introduced to lead singer and guitarist Mark Knopfler by Mark's brother, David Knopfler, Illsley was one of just two original band members remaining when it broke up in 1995.
He also released his first two albums of his own, Never Told A Soul in 1984 and Glass in 1988. His first album had clear Dire Straits influences, however, his style had notably changed by the second. Mark Knopfler contributed some of the guitar parts on both issues.
Later he released some more solo-albums, incl. a live-album called Live in London. He still tours in smaller club-locations and he plays his own songs and Dire Straits songs, as well.
He is now building a reputation as a talented painter.
Father of Jessica Illsley and Dee Dee Illsley
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December 5, 2025
Theater Markant
Uden, North Brabant, Netherlands1. Down to the Waterline(Dire Straits cover)
2. Walk of Life(Dire Straits cover)
3. So Far Away(Dire Straits cover)
4. Romeo and Juliet(Dire Straits cover)
5. Railway Tracks
6. Lady Writer(Dire Straits cover)
7. Expresso Love(Dire Straits cover)
8. Private Investigations(Dire Straits cover)
9. Sultans of Swing(Dire Straits cover)
1. Calling Elvis(Dire Straits cover)
2. It’s a Long Way Back
3. Why Worry(Dire Straits cover)
4. Wild One
5. Tunnel of Love(Dire Straits cover)
6. On Every Street(Dire Straits cover)
7. Money for Nothing(Dire Straits cover)
8. Brothers in Arms(Dire Straits cover)
1. Where Do You Think You're Going?(Dire Straits cover)
December 4, 2025
Metropool Leffe Stage
Enschede, Overijssel, NetherlandsDecember 3, 2025
Stage 1
Haarlem, North Holland, Netherlands1. Walk of Life(Dire Straits cover)
2. Down to the Waterline(Dire Straits cover)
3. So Far Away(Dire Straits cover)
4. Romeo and Juliet(Dire Straits cover)
5. Railway Tracks
6. Lady Writer(Dire Straits cover)
7. Old Amsterdam
8. Private Investigations(Dire Straits cover)
9. Sultans of Swing(Dire Straits cover)
10. Calling Elvis(Dire Straits cover)
11. It’s a Long Way Back
12. Why Worry(Dire Straits cover)
13. Wild One
14. Tunnel of Love(Dire Straits cover)
15. On Every Street(Dire Straits cover)
16. Money for Nothing(Dire Straits cover)
17. Brothers in Arms(Dire Straits cover)
18. Where Do You Think You're Going?(Dire Straits cover)
December 1, 2025
Podium Victorie Grolsch Zaal
Alkmaar, North Holland, Netherlands1. Walk of Life(Dire Straits cover)
2. Down to the Waterline(Dire Straits cover)
3. So Far Away(Dire Straits cover)
4. Romeo and Juliet(Dire Straits cover)
5. Railway Tracks
6. Lady Writer(Dire Straits cover)
7. Old Amsterdam
8. Private Investigations(Dire Straits cover)
9. Sultans of Swing(Dire Straits cover)
10. Calling Elvis(Dire Straits cover)
11. It’s a Long Way Back
12. Why Worry(Dire Straits cover)
13. Wild One
14. Tunnel of Love(Dire Straits cover)
15. On Every Street(Dire Straits cover)
16. Money for Nothing(Dire Straits cover)
17. Brothers in Arms(Dire Straits cover)
18. Where Do You Think You're Going?(Dire Straits cover)
November 29, 2025
White Rock Theatre
Hastings, England, United KingdomNovember 28, 2025
St George's Church
Beckenham, England, United KingdomNovember 27, 2025
Marine Theatre
Lyme Regis, England, United KingdomNovember 16, 2025
The Met
Bury, England, United KingdomNovember 15, 2025
The Witham
Barnard Castle, England, United KingdomSetlist incomplete and out of order
1. Down to the Waterline(Dire Straits cover)
2. Wild West End(Dire Straits cover)
3. Romeo and Juliet(Dire Straits cover)
4. Private Investigations(Dire Straits cover)
5. Sultans of Swing(Dire Straits cover)
6. Walk of Life(Dire Straits cover)
7. So Far Away(Dire Straits cover)
8. It’s a Long Way Back
9. Money for Nothing(Dire Straits cover)
10. Where Do You Think You're Going?(Dire Straits cover)
November 14, 2025
The Tung Auditorium
Liverpool, England, United KingdomNovember 13, 2025
Alnwick Playhouse
Alnwick, England, United KingdomNovember 11, 2025
The Apex
Bury St Edmunds, England, United KingdomNovember 10, 2025
Dorking Halls
Dorking, England, United Kingdom1. Down to the Waterline(Dire Straits cover)
November 8, 2025
Landmark Arts Centre
Richmond upon Thames, England, United KingdomNovember 5, 2025
Tivoli Theatre
Wimborne Minster, England, United KingdomNovember 4, 2025
Playhouse Bar
Norwich, England, United KingdomNovember 3, 2025
City Varieties Music Hall
Leeds, England, United Kingdom1. Brothers in Arms(Dire Straits cover)
2. Walk of Life(Dire Straits cover)
3. Private Investigations(Dire Straits cover)
4. So Far Away(Dire Straits cover)
5. Sultans of Swing(Dire Straits cover)
6. Romeo and Juliet(Dire Straits cover)
7. Money for Nothing(Dire Straits cover)
8. Walk of Life(Dire Straits cover)
9. Down to the Waterline(Dire Straits cover)
November 2, 2025
Stroud Subscription Rooms
Stroud, England, United KingdomOctober 30, 2025
The Lens
Portsmouth, England, United KingdomOctober 29, 2025
The Old Market
Hove, England, United KingdomJohn Illsley has released 19+ albums. Some of their notable releases include Streets Of Heaven, Never Told A Soul, Glass . Explore their complete discography on this page.
Some of John Illsley's most popular tracks include Streets Of Heaven, Toe The Line, Only Time Will Tell, It's a Long Way Back, Young Girl. Listen to these songs and discover more from their extensive catalog.
Born on 24 June 1949, in Leicester, Illsley was the bass player for the British rock band Dire Straits. Introduced to lead singer and guitarist Mark Knopfler by Mark's brother, David Knopfler, Illsley... Read the full biography on this page.
You can find John Illsley vinyl records and merchandise on eBay. We feature a curated selection of vinyl releases and collectibles available for purchase.
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