John Illsley

Artist

John Illsley

19

Releases

About

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

Data provided by Discogs

Top Tracks

Most popular songs on Last.fm

1

Streets Of Heaven

John Illsley

2

Toe The Line

John Illsley

3

Only Time Will Tell

John Illsley

4

It's a Long Way Back

John Illsley

5

Young Girl

John Illsley

6

Railway Tracks

John Illsley

7

Big Top

John Illsley

8

Sometimes

John Illsley

9

I Thought I Saw It Coming

John Illsley

10

Tell Me

John Illsley

Setlists

Recent live performances Β· data from Setlist.fm

Setlist data provided by Setlist.fm

December 5, 2025

Theater Markant

Uden, North Brabant, Netherlands

  • 1. 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)

View on Setlist.fm β†’


December 4, 2025

Metropool Leffe Stage

Enschede, Overijssel, Netherlands

View on Setlist.fm β†’


December 3, 2025

Stage 1

Haarlem, North Holland, Netherlands

  • 1. 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)

View on Setlist.fm β†’


December 1, 2025

Podium Victorie Grolsch Zaal

Alkmaar, North Holland, Netherlands

  • 1. 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)

View on Setlist.fm β†’


November 29, 2025

White Rock Theatre

Hastings, England, United Kingdom

View on Setlist.fm β†’

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John 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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