Dire Straits legend dead: Band pays tribute to ‘other guitarist’ Jack Sonni after he passes away at the age of 68
Dire Straits guitarist Jack Sonni has died at the age of 68.
The musician’s passing was announced in a moving post by the band posted online.
Sonni was known as ‘the other guitarist’ during the group’s Brothers in Arms era, named after their fifth album, released in 1985.
His cause of death has not been revealed.
Sonni had been working at the famous New York City guitar shop Rudy’s Music Stop in the 1970s when he first met The Dire Straits’ co-founders David and Mark Knopfler.
RIP: The Dire Straits’ guitarist Jack Sonnie has died at the age of 68
He played alongside the band at the iconic 1985 Live Aid concert at Wembley Stadium that raised money for the famine that hit Ethiopia.
Following the news of Jack’s death, many fans took to social media to pay tribute, including many messages on his Facebook page.
One posted: ‘OMG… so sorry to hear this terrible news. RIP hero!’ while another added: ‘Sending love and condolences to Nadine and family. RIP Jack.’
A third shared: ‘Sincerest condolences to Jack’s family and loved ones,’ while one user shared: ‘Thank you for your wonderful vibe. Rest In Peace.’
Born in Indiana, Pennsylvania, after his collaboration with Dire Straits, Jack went onto contribute to a series of other musicians’ works but ended his professional musical career when his twin daughters were born in 1988.
He began a second career as a marketing executive, first at Seymour Duncan, then Rivera Guitar Amplifiers followed by several years as director of marketing communications at Line 6, a manufacturer of digital technology products for musicians.
In 2001, he became vice president of marketing communication for Guitar Center.
In the summer of 2006, Sonni left Guitar Center to write books, moving to San Jose del Cabo, then California.
He was writer-in-residence and House Manager at the Noepe Center for Literary Arts on Martha’s Vineyard until its closure in 2017.
He had also returned to playing music on a regular basis with his band, The Leisure Class.
