Dire Straits star Jack Sonni has died at the age of 68.
The news was announced on Thursday by Dire Straits legacy band DSL Dire Straits Legacy, of which Sonni and other former members were a part of.
They did not reveal a cause of death for the talented guitarist, but in a heart-wrenching post on Facebook said he had ‘left a void in our heart and soul.’
‘We will miss you so much. You are forever with us.’
Days earlier, Sonni had been due to play with the legacy band – also featuring former Dire Straits musicians Alan Clark, Phil Palmer, Danny Cummings and Mel Collins, however, it was announced before the show that he would not take part due to ill health.
Dire Straits bassist John Illsley shared his condolences and reflected on the good times having him on tour, writing: ‘So sorry to hear the sad news that Jack Sonni has died, we loved having him with us on the Brothers in Arms tour, fond memories. RIP Jack.’
Sonni, a writer as well as musician, shot to fame on tour with the Straits album Brothers In Arms, released in 1985, which became the first-ever album to sell over one million copies in CD format.
He was known as ‘the other guitarist’ in this era, which helped launch Dire Straits to even further critical acclaim.
The band’s efforts won them a Grammy, and it has previously been listed on Q’s Greatest British Albums Ever.
Not long after the Dire Straits collaboration, Sonni retired from professional music work to be there for his twin daughters, born in 1988, and went on to work as a marketing executive for major instrument companies.
Later in life he discovered a passion and talent for literature, and returned to playing live music with the Dire Straits Legacy project and his own band, The Leisure Class.
Tributes have poured in for the musician, with fans taking to Twitter, aka X, with one saying his ‘music lives on in all of us.’
One called him a ‘wonderful addition’ to Dire Straits, with another praising his ‘incredible talent’ and sending ‘condolences to his loved ones.’
