I have the hardest time believing that anyone over the age of 10 who plays guitar hasn't heard this song.....

Another generation figuring out what we knew 45 years ago that Mark Knopfler was simply the best!

"This tennis player is the best guitar player I've ever seen!"😂...Dude, that is Mark Knoefler, one of the true greats, hands down. Few, if any, in the rock genre can make a guitar "cry and sing" like him...

The best description for Dire Straits songs is, "Mark's voice tells the story whilst his guitar sings the song."

As a guitarist you should know the greatest in the world. Prince was once asked “ what is it like to be the greatest guitarist in the world, he replied go ask Mark Knofler.”

I don’t think people give enough credit to Terry Williams here, quite honestly one of the best drum performances I’ve seen ever. Unreal! Glad I bought the vinyl!

"This tennis player is the best guitarist I've ever seen" That is the funniest comment ever!

As a classical violinist I'd NEVER HEARD of Mozart! I was blown away!!!

I’ve been listening to Mark Knopfler for 40 years. The man is a musical genius and, quite possibly, one of the greatest guitarists that’s ever lived, in my humble opinion.

71 years old today and I still LOVE Dire Straits. It's great to see young men discovering our music. We had the best music.

The 'tennisplayer'😂Mark Knopfler is this planets best guitarplayer❤greetings from Finland❤

I can’t believe anyone in the world has never heard of the greatest guitarist of all times… and yes, there are better electric guitarists and electric solos, but Mark was a genius of the guitar, and his style is a different game. We all would like his touch, we all would like his sound.

It’s truly hard to imagine a guitarist that hasn’t heard of Mark Knopfler. He’s commonly listed as one of the top five rock guitarists of all time. Admittedly, I’m 73 years old and have known this song since its release but Knopfler is my favorite. There are others right up there (pick your favorites) but I love his work.

Terry Williams on drums can't be overlooked. He is brilliant and there are no words for Mark Knopfler. He is at the very top of his craft.

Greatest quitarist ever. Thank you for getting this song and band out there. The world needs to hear this incredible talent . Mark knopfler.

"I don't understand how a song can rock so freaking hard without distortion" 0 dude, you have missed out on a HUGE universe - a treasure trove of rock music!!! Like a lifetime supply!! Welcome to the clean sound of the guitar strings, without any electronic wizardly disguising their soul! Glad you've been enlightened! :D

Dire Straits are a great British rock band from the 70's-90's. Mark Knopfler is one of the best guitarists around. They have had so many hits including "Walk Of Life", "Brothers In Arms", "Money For Nothing", "Telegraph Road", "Romeo & Juliet", "Private Investigations", "Twisting By The Pool", "So Far Away" etc. They don't have a bad song.

What is indisputable is that Mark Knopfler's sound is totally unique. You ALWAYS know it's him.

When people do these “first time listens” to songs that I listened to endlessly and which defined my whole life I always have three reactions: 1. Hope in young people 2. Envy of hearing song for first time 3. I’m getting old

I just do not understand how is it possible to be a guitarist and to never have heard about this band, and especially this song! 😮

The drummer's dad was in the audience for the first time, so the lead singer, Mark Knopfler, told him to go for it!!! One of the most spectacular live performances ever!!!🎶🎼🎵🥁🎹🎧🎸🎤🔥🔥🔥🤘🤘🤘

Watching people fall in love with music that I love is one of my favorite human experiences.

When I was 18, my brother took me to an Eric Clapton concert at Royal Albert Hall. Mark Knopfler was on stage with him. As amazing it was to see ol "slow hand" live, I was utterly transfixed by Knopfler. Glorious!

Mark Knopfler just blew the doors off the hinges with his mastery of the instrument and his melodic understanding. He has a new album that just dropped - One Deep River. These days he makes fewer moves, yet they are all EXACTLY where they should be. He is a humble and intentional artist with an extraordinary songbook to his name. 💜👏👏

Knopfler was originally a journalist which explains his sophisticated lyrics and self taught on the guitar which is amazing in itself. Brits just own music

Proper talent, no autotune, everyone having a good time, audience not watching it from behind a sea of phone lights. I miss music like this.

What always blows me away with Knopfler is the way he can change the feel of his solos in his variations in live performances to make them feel so different with his energy levels. Guy was a madman.

If you have never heard of Dire Straits, then you aint no music lover! Mark Knopfler would kill you! I worship them since I was a kid. and now I am 70 years of age! Where you been pal? Listen to the work of art by them called "Tunnel of love" if you don't cry you are not human. Listen to all of it!!

Mark knopfler is on virtually every top 10 guitarists list I've ever seen

How can you have guitars on the wall and NOT know this???? Perhaps one of the top 10 all-time - if not THE top!

Found dire straights in the late 80’s! I was like 10-11 years old. Still jamming to them. Timeless!

I heard ‘Sultans’ for the very first time when I was in my late teens (late 1970s) I was wandering through my favorite motorcycle shop dreaming about one day owning one of the many magnificent machine is the showroom. This song started playing and I froze! I’d never heard anything like it before and I’ve been a huge Knopfler fan ever since. For his time, he introduced a unique style and sound. He has gone on to do some amazing composition work for the movie industry. One of the few celebrities I’d truly love to meet. He seems like a very grounded human.

How is it possible not to know dire straits as a guitarist 😮

Being a U.S.A.F. veteran of 20 years a feel in love with their song " Brothers In Arms". It was written for the British soldiers in their Falkland war.

This is one of the top live rock performances of all time. I love how he smiles like it's nothing while he absolutely shreds it. Your analysis is spot on.

I'm not really a rocker, but how can you not heard of Dire Straits. I want my MTV!!!

Your remark on how the sound of the vocals makes him accessible on a personal level is so profound! Based on that alone I have subscribed! Mark just sold his guitar collection at Christies in London for around $10 million, the funds of which will be donated to the teenage cancer fund! This man is a legend!

11:30; "This tennis player is the best guitarist I've ever seen!" I love it!! Thanks for letting me watch your reaction. It's gold!!

You really didn´t know them? Wow. I´m from Germany and even here the dire straits are just legend.

“He could play that guitar like he was ringing a bell” 😊

Groups like Pink Floyd and Dire Straits did not just make fantastic music....their pieces were the compleat emotional experience.

The funny part is that this was the first time their drummer had played in front of his Dad. So the band told him to go crazy and they were enjoying it with him! That's why they're laughing with each other!

seriously one of the few artists that make me emotional with how they play with my soul.... when they achieve synchro with your essence. eyes never dry during MK/Dire Straits live performances..

Dude, welcome to the Renaissance of Rock Music! Keep digging back. There is a treasure trove of amazing music in the past for you to experience. Don't miss it. I am so glad I was alive during those years.

He can play like that because he is the real GOAT

One of my favorite lines ever said by any KZfaq music reviewer is "Dude, this tennis player is the best guitarist I've ever seen."😂😂 I had the pleasure of actually meeting Mark Knopfler in the early 90's when my father made a lot of their equipment storage trunks and boxes for their U.S. tour in 1991+1992. he gave me a signed copy of their brother in arms record, and I still have it to this day. He is in my opinion one of the top 5 guitarists of all time, and I still love watching this performance.

I will never understand how ANY guitar guy could have never heard of Sultans and Mark Knopfler ! ... :(

Hands down, Mark Knopfler is my favorite musician and this has always, from the first time I heard it, been my favorite song. Your description that it is like he is talking to you is spot on. He writes his own music and has never played a cover. Few can play his music. Have you ever watched Princess Bride? He wrote the music for the movie. The first cord of the opening song I knew it was his music. He has also done other films. He will only write and do a song that has a story behind it that he has lived and has music in most genres. Beyond excellent! There is NO ONE like him. I ask you to watch more of him Sebs. You will become a better musician for it.

You always know without a doubt when the guitarist is Mark Knofler. He has an unmistakable style. ♥️

Described by Classic Rock as a virtuoso, Knopfler is a fingerstyle guitarist and was ranked 27th on Rolling Stone's list of the "100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time". With Dire Straits, Knopfler sold between 100 and 120 million records. A four-time Grammy Award winner, Knopfler is the recipient of the Edison Award, the Steiger Award and the Ivor Novello Award, as well as holding three honorary doctorate degrees in music from universities in the United Kingdom. Knopfler was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Dire Straits in 2018.Mark Freuder Knopfler OBE (born 12 August 1949) is a British guitarist, singer, songwriter, and record producer. He was the lead guitarist, singer and songwriter of the rock band Dire Straits. He pursued a solo career after the band first dissolved in 1988. Dire Straits reunited in 1990, but dissolved again in 1995. He is now an independent solo artist. Knopfler was born in Glasgow and raised in Blyth, near Newcastle. After graduating from the University of Leeds and working for three years as a college lecturer, Knopfler co-founded Dire Straits with his younger brother, David Knopfler. The band recorded six albums, including Brothers in Arms (1985), one of the best-selling albums in history. After they disbanded in 1995, Knopfler began a solo career, and has produced nine solo albums. He has composed and produced film scores for nine films, including Local Hero (1983), Cal (1984), The Princess Bride (1987), Wag the Dog (1997) and Altamira (2016). He has produced albums for Tina Turner, Bob Dylan, and Randy Newman. Peace out.

I grew up with these guys, my son 17, is addicted to the 70s, 80s, and I am partly responsible, but in many cases I am discovering stuff from him now. What a comeback.

GREAT reaction video! loved watching a guitarist see mark for the first time.

Welcome to the world of realizing this 1985 live version of "Sultans of Swing" during the Alchemy Live tour is the greatest live performance of any song ever. Mark Knopfler is a genius and this song was WAY ahead of its time. It's by far my favorite Dire Straits song and my favorite live song.

Note that guitar legend Chet Atkins heard Mark play and invited him to tour with him. Greatness recognizes greatness. They toured and recorded an album together.

Just a note - Mark Knopfler (red jacket and headband) has a new album out in April 2024. He's 74 years old and still working. The album is called "One Deep River," and it made it to #3 on the British album charts (right after Beyonce) and #4 in Germany. It has yet to crack the top 100 in the States, but fans can fix that.

Mark Knopfler is the greatest repository ever of brilliant licks. He never runs out, and they all sound perfect.

It is one of the biggest crimes in music history that Mark Knoppfler is so "tragically underrated"! He is an absolute guitar God. This magnificent performance demonstrates that beyond any doubt. The entire band are virtuoso level musicians, and the unadulterated joy that each band member displays is awe inspiring.

This is the best version of Sultans of Swing ever. Mark's guitar solo is SENSATIONAL. Mark Knopfler is left-handed but plays right-handed. Therefore he imparts more force on the guitar neck strings, in this case using the Fender Stratocaster, by plucking more gently with his right hand. MK was the first to introduce fingerpicking on the electric guitar.... it's his hallmark. I LOVE HIM. Teresa from GENOA -ITALY (sorry for my english) 🤍

My daughters listened to our music, they really enjoyed it. This was when music was music.

What you're listening to there my friend is a musician of the highest calibre. I'm so envious of you right now, hearing this for the first time! I wish I was hearing this like you, for the first time ever! Our generation are literally 'infected' and invested in our music. We were so lucky to have lived through all this music first time around, for the memories it invokes, the places, the people we knew, the times we had and still have just by taking an album off a shelf and carefully placing it on a turn table and cranking up the stereo......listen to any music long enough it will infect you in some way.

Mark Knopfler is a guitar legend. You've likely heard him before. Money for nothing is one of their best known. If you've ever watched The Princess Bride, he wrote and played the soundtrack for that.

It's not just Marks technique and plucking, his sense of musicality is completely off the charts!

Lol your reaction is priceless. You have a real treat in store when you discover Dire Straits, Communique, Making Movies, and Love Over Gold! I saw Dire Straits during this tour, and Mark Knopfler is a true great, both live and in the studio. Love that you loved this. Share and enjoy!

Mark Knopfler is one of (if not THE) best solo guitarist of all time. From England UK

Sultans of Swing were a pub band. Mark was near that location on a wet rainy night and went into the pub out of the rain. There were not many people inside, except for a few young rockers in a corner. The band were playing jazz double 4 time to the small audience. Mark later took the memories of the event, wrote the song, and the Sultans of Swing were reborn..

Mark Knopfler is like a voodoo magic man on the strings. He just plays with a unique fingerstyle, and it's so clean, and his bends so hypnotic. He doesn't have to blow your brains out with distortion, he just coaxes it out, and your brain just gets dreamy and intoxicated and exits your skull willingly. It's great that the newer generations like you recognise such music from the argubly the best era of music 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s. Play with feel, soul, emotions

The lead singer’s voice (Mark Knopfler) REALLY reminds me of Bob Dylan in this.

I’m a little embarrassed for you that as a guitar player, you had never heard of Mark Knopfler or Dore Straits

When a band is on fire like that they know it and don't want it to end.

Knopfler transcends rock. A true artist who has composed many movie soundtracks. A one of a kind guitarist who created a unique style. Good reaction Sebs.

This song, along with, Romeo and Juliet, will live in history.

Ya know i watched a lotta Reactions the other day. I was getting irritated about how all the musicians i looked up for Reactions, were done with the exact same song. You were one of the first ones. Th God you hqd those guitars up, cuz when i tried to scramble back to the ones i reallly liked, thats how i recognized you! Anyway, seeing the surprise, wonder and joy on your face is so gorgeous and important here. I appreciate you. And i appreciate them. The two together, or sball i say 3, including me is gold, my friend!

The British author Douglas Adams, in the book "So Long and Thanks For All the Fish" (the 4th book in the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy Trilogy) said "Mark Knopfler has an extraordinary ability to make a Schecter Custom Stratocaster hoot and sing like angels on a Saturday night, exhausted from being good all week and needing a stiff drink.”

Yesssss. The voice as JUST another instrument! ❤ Your analysis and understanding are spot on! I’m 75. We have been so lucky to have so much brilliant music in our lives!!!! 🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾 Warms my heart that you are seeing it!

"I don't understand how a song can rock this hard without distortion". EXACTLY! That's the magic of Dire Straits for you. These guys are crazy. They probably ate their guitars and regurgitated them back out at some point. Sheer madness.

Don't you just love the way Mark looks into the camera at the end while he's playing an incredible crescendo...and smiles into the camera as if what he's just done throughout the song was nothing to get too excited about. Just amazing.🙋‍♂

i am 75. i have heard it all from elvis to the junk we hear today through the years. i only heard this cut about two weeks and it is by far the most incredible performance i have ever heard. the best ever!

And that is British music at its finest.

Now THAT was a great reaction-by you. Love your surprise and honesty. Authentic and humble. Thanks!

Dire Straits is such a tight band. When they hit in the late 70s early 80s, Mark Knopfler's guitar style knocked people back. His style was so unique and he's a fantastic songwriter as well.

I love it when youngsters who've been listening to music factory music since they first started listening turn on to the old geezers and how good they were and how good the music was. Dire Straits' music, like the Beatles", Stones" etc will last a very long time.

one of the best bands, one of the best tracks, one of the best guitar player...this song plays a huge part of my life

I love playing this live...its always a fun challenge and feels great to watch my bandmates havin fun

The lyrics are a tongue-in-cheek tribute to all those part time jazz bands - the “Sultans of Swing” - that used to play in pubs in London - particularly back in the 70s and 80s, often on weekend lunch times, to half empty pubs. Thus “way on down south, way on down south….London town” (South London being the notably less glamorous half of the city “south of the river”) and “Harry doesn’t mind, if he doesn’t make the scene - he’s got a day time job snd he’s doin alright”

Seriously this is one of the greatest songs of all time, this is music perfection

Wasn't the Dire Straits music video "Money for Nothing" the very first one played when MTV first aired? Mark's voice and singing style remind me of Bob Dylan. Yeah, I'm not a particular Dire Straits fan, BUT I've always loved "Sultans of Swing", and this live, extended performance was spectacular! The guitars, and drums! And keyboard were really coming together for a stellar performance. And I LOVE to see bands who love what they're doing. It adds an extra layer of enjoyment for me! Love your reactions! You always appreciate the different skills and ingredients that make songs great!! 🎶

Yes seeing this concert was an unforgettable experience ..he is awesome .

Lindsey Buckingham of Fleetwood Mac also uses his fingers. Great guitar players indeed! They were really big in the 80’s when MTV first started…”Money for nothing” was a big hit.

The drummer was so excited he started too fast, it was his birthday and his parents were in the crowd. Deadly! Love it!

Love Mark Knopfler, no other man plays a guitar like he can. Absolute genius.

Mark Knopfler is a once in a lifetime kind of player. He's a phenom and this video of Dire Straits Alchemy tour version Sultans of Swing makes me cry. Loved watching a newbies's reaction. ❤

You remind me of my brother. Not long after this performance was published, we were watching it. My brother was a guitarist and while we watched, he turned to look at me and said, "You realize what he is doing is not physically possible." And you are right. That performance was flawless. The drummer (Terry Williams) absolutely murdered it. I've heard it probably more than a thousand times (I'm an old lady) but that solo still gives me chills. I enjoyed your enjoyment of it. Thanks.

That was a great reaction . Mark knopfler took us by suprise in 1978 because even though we came up with all the brilliant guitarists from the 60's and 70's Mark sounded entirely different and has a unique style that remains completely identifiable. He is also a brilliant composer - like a british Bob Dylan - he encapsulates an entire situation in the space of a song and then narrates it to you in his wonderful voice , as if he is telling you the story. The impact is always astonishing. Brothers in arms will bring you to tears , private investigations will lose you in the world of film noire . Tunnel of love is based on the spanish city fun fair he used to go to when young to hear amplified music. Telegraph road will transport you and i also love where do think you are going? which is an understated song but which expresses every emotion you feel when someone is leaving you. The live performances from the alchemy live tour and also on the night are all excellent. However you must do some more led Zeppelin you can't just do stairway to heaven and stop. As you mentioned the distortion pedal this was one of the cutting edge introductions by jimmy Page . You should definitey hear since i been loving you live at madison square garden 1973 . While i'm here re carlos santana check out his version of She's not there. I am so excited for you!!!

Knopfler is a true legend. Always holding back and giving the right amount. Give ''Brothers in arms'' a listen.

This is one of my favorite songs of all time. I feel like this was a performance that stepped very far outside the box of the studio recording. This was a pretty dramatic departure both vocally, and musically from the original recording. The studio recording is amazing, but this performance shows just how great a guitarist Mark Knopfler really is. Listen to the studio recording, which is amazing, and I think you will gain even more of an appreciation for how great this song is, and how great this performance is. Thanks for posting!

Mark Knopfler wrote and composed "Private Dancer" for Tina Turner. He's a born multi-talented musician.

Superb. The drummer is Terry Williams who was with the band from 82-88. Knopfler is a genius.

As a drummer I loved this song as a kid. Could play it over and over. Still play it today

Marc Knopfler and his brother David co-founded Dire Straits. One of the most beautiful songs they recorded, and title of an album, was Brothers in Arms. I adored this band since I was a teenager! I’m way over 60 now. I grew up on this kind of bands. PURE TALENTS!

Yeah Knopfler's trademark style is his ability to seamlessly combine rhythm and lead into one coherent unity. So smooth and pure and clean. Your appraisal of the musical style is very astute, and rather than just analyze it to death, you show your true appreciation for the music.... very much enjoyed the reaction 😺