Western Reader
The world of music mourns the loss of a legend as Jack Sonni, the renowned guitarist of the iconic band Dire Straits, has passed away at the age of 68.
Known for his exceptional talent and contribution to the Brothers in Arms era, Sonni’s death was announced in a heartfelt post by the band online. The cause of his death remains undisclosed, but it is known that he had been battling health issues.
Sonni, often referred to as ‘the other guitarist’ during the group’s Brothers in Arms era, named after their fifth album released in 1985, was an integral part of the band’s success.
His journey with Dire Straits began in the 1970s when he met the co-founders David and Mark Knopfler while working at the famous New York City guitar shop, Rudy’s Music Stop.
He played alongside the band at the iconic 1985 Live Aid concert at Wembley Stadium, a historic event that raised funds for the famine-stricken Ethiopia.
the people who deserve to leave the earth because they consume our air are living and causing misery
but good people die
R.I,P, Jack Sonni
Dire Straits legend dead aged 68 https://t.co/hi33sceBVy— Souciva (@SoucivaMA) August 31, 2023
Dire Straits disbanded in 1995, but Sonni’s passion for music didn’t wane.
He continued to contribute to various musicians’ works until 1988 when he decided to step back from his professional musical career following the birth of his twin daughters. However, he returned to playing music regularly with his band, The Leisure Class.
After leaving the music industry, Sonni embarked on a successful second career in marketing.
He served as a marketing executive at Seymour Duncan and Rivera Guitar Amplifiers before becoming the director of marketing communications at Line 6, a manufacturer of digital technology products for musicians.
In 2001, he ascended to the position of vice president of marketing communication for Guitar Center.
In 2006, Sonni left Guitar Center to pursue his passion for writing. He moved to San Jose del Cabo, then California, and became a writer-in-residence and House Manager at the Noepe Center for Literary Arts on Martha’s Vineyard until its closure in 2017.
His last Facebook post on June 2 indicated his intention to take a break to focus on shaping his novel for his agent’s publisher hunt.
Oh no. Just seen the sad news that Jack Sonni has passed away. Another Rock Legend taken from us, Rest in Peace Jack and thank you for the music. 🎸 #DireStraits ❤️🙏🏽❤️ pic.twitter.com/NioT1zVU7H
— Emma Sealey 🇯🇲❤🇯🇲 (@Emma1240) August 31, 2023
Fans worldwide have taken to social media to pay tribute to the late musician. Messages of condolences and appreciation for his work flooded his Facebook page, reflecting the profound impact he had on his followers and the music industry.
Born in Indiana, Pennsylvania, Sonni’s life was a testament to his versatility and passion. From his remarkable contributions to Dire Straits to his successful career in marketing and his pursuit of writing, he leaves behind a legacy that will continue to inspire generations to come.
As we bid farewell to this legend, we remember his words, “Play nice & be kind to one another! And hug them while you can.”
This article appeared in TheDailyBeat and has been published here with permission.
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