Jack Sonni, former Dire Straits guitarist, has passed away, as announced by X, his former radio band.
The band’s account wrote “#JackSonni Rest In Peace #DireStraits,”
Sonni, 68, played guitar synthesizer on Dire Straits’ 1984 mega-hit album Brothers in Arms, notably on the track The Man’s Too Strong.
He was also known as the “other guitarist” for joining the band after Dave Knopfler and Hal Lindsay left, also joined them on stage for the 1985 Live Aid concert.
Soni retired from professional music in 1988 following the birth of her daughters. The news was also shared on Dire Straits’ official.
The musician’s death, who was best known for being the group’s “other guitarist” alongside frontman Mark Knopfler during their Brothers In Arms era, was announced by some of his former bandmates on Thursday. His cause of death was not immediately made public.
Members of Dire Straits Legacy, a band in which Sonni played alongside other ex-Dire Straits musicians, announced the sad news on their Facebook page.
“Our beloved Jack has left a void in our heart and soul,” the statement reads. “We will miss you so much. You are forever with us.”
Jack Sonni moved to New York in the 70s and began working as a session musician. He met brothers David and Mark Knopfler in 1978, a year after founding Dire Straits with bassist John Illsley and drummer Pick Withers.
He eventually joined the group in recording their 1985 album Brothers in Arms, which included hits such as Money for Nothing, Walk of Life, and its title track, and became their most commercially successful record.
Jack Sonni joined the band on the next tour and also played the Live Aid concert at Wembley in 1985.
Illsley also paid tribute to his former colleague on Facebook, 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. R.I.P Jack.”
After the departure of guitarist Hal Lindes, Mark asked Sony to come on board to record Brothers in Arms.
“Jack was in a real bad way for a real long time,” Mark told Musician. “Frustration, just working at his guitar. I said to him, ‘Just one condition. Whatever I do, man, try your damnedest not to let it affect our friendship.'”