THE NEW YEAR
John is currently writing new material for his next album, and hoping to make a start in the next few weeks.
He also has a few paintings in the Pop Art 2012 show being exhibited @ the Belgravia Gallery in Albermarle Street, London from the 20th January – 13th February. Other featured artists include Ronnie Wood, John Lennon and Damien Hirst.
An interesting mixture!!
In early 2010, on a cold and rainy day outside a block of council flats in Deptford, South London, John Illsley and Mark Knopfler attended a small ceremony where a black plaque was unveiled – “Dire Straits first gigged here”. A small and humble sign indeed for a band who were to sell over 120 million records.
John Illsley, a founding member of Dire Straits, played a major part in creating the band’s sound. Dire Straits released six studio and three live albums before disbanding in the mid nineties. During that time John also released two solo CDs, recently re-released on Creek Records – Never Told A Soul and Glass.
It was also during the Dire Straits days that John’s love of art resurfaced. He began to paint and has now had five highly successful international solo exhibitions to his credit. His influences are taken from the music he loves and also the countryside of France where he has a house.
In 2008 John returned to music with renewed enthusiasm. Teaming up with Irish musician Greg Pearle to record a new album Beautiful You. He had come across Greg’s band, Cunla, playing in a pub in Leicestershire in 2005 and went on to play several gigs with them, notably Cathedrale d’Image in Les Baux de Provence in September ’06. This performance was recorded and released as a live CD the following year.
May 17th 2010 saw the release of Streets Of Heaven, John’s first solo studio album since leaving Dire Straits. It features 11 tracks in total and was recorded at British Grove studios with a terrific musical line-up. It sees old friends including Mark Knopfler contributing to some of the tracks along with John playing the guitar and taking lead vocal honors.
When not playing or painting John is often supporting his charity. John co-founded the UK leg of Life Education with Prince Charles, recently amalgamated with the UK’s oldest charity Coram. He also owns a local pub, the East End Arms (one of the 50 Best Pubs Around Britain according to the Times), and The George Hotel on the Isle of Wight.
