Jack Sonni was the former guitarist of the British rock band Dire Straits. He passed away on August 30, 2023. Jack was at the age of 68 when he died. He was best known for playing on the Brothers in Arms world tour in 1985, where he wore an iconic red coat and earned the nickname “the other guitarist”. He also had a successful career as a writer and a marketing executive in the music industry. Here is a tribute to his life and legacy.
Early Life and Hometown
He was born on December 9, 1954, in Indiana, Pennsylvania. He was drawn to music at an early age, learning piano, trumpet, and guitar. He left the University of Connecticut, where he was studying literature, to attend the Hartford Conservatory of Music. He graduated in 1976 and moved to New York City to pursue his musical career.
| Name | Jack Sonni |
|---|---|
| Birth date | December 9, 1954 |
| Birth place | Indiana, Pennsylvania |
| Death date | August 30, 2023 |
| Death place | Unknown |
| Occupation | Musician, Writer, and Marketing executive |
| Instrument | Guitar vocals |
| Years active | 1976-1988 (music) 1988-2006 (marketing) 2006-2023 (writing) |
| Associated acts | Dire Straits The Leisure Class Elliott Randall Eric Clapton John Waite Dire Straits Legacy |
Music Career
In New York, Jack Sonni worked at various guitar shops and met his mentor Elliott Randall, a session guitarist who played with Steely Dan and other artists. He also formed his own band, The Leisure Class, which performed regularly at Kenny’s Castaways, a venue for up-and-coming acts in Greenwich Village.
In 1978, he met Mark Knopfler and David Knopfler of Dire Straits at Rudy’s Music Stop, where he worked as a salesman. He became friends with them and visited them in London. After David left the band in 1980 and Hal Lindes in 1983, Sonni was invited to join Dire Straits for the recording sessions of Brothers in Arms and the subsequent tour.
Sonni played guitar synthesizer on “The Man’s Too Strong” and performed live with the band on 248 shows in 23 countries. He also played at the Live Aid concert at Wembley Stadium on July 13, 1985. He was known for his energetic stage presence and his red coat, which contrasted with Mark Knopfler’s understated style.
After his collaboration with Dire Straits, Jack Sonni contributed to other musicians’ works, such as Eric Clapton’s August album and John Waite’s Rover’s Return album. He also recorded some solo material, but never released it. He retired from his professional musical career in 1988, after the birth of his twin daughters.
Marketing Career
Sonni started a second career as a marketing executive in the music industry. Jack Sonni worked for Seymour Duncan, Rivera Guitar Amplifiers and Line 6, where he was involved in the development and launch of POD, a digital guitar processor that he named and designed. He also worked as the vice president of marketing communication for Guitar Center, the largest retailer of musical instruments in the US.
Writing Career
In 2006, Sonni left Guitar Center to pursue his passion for writing. He moved to San Jose del Cabo in Mexico in 2007, then to Healdsburg in California in 2010, and finally to Brooklyn in New York in 2012. Jack Sonni wrote several novels and short stories, some of which were published online or in magazines. He also hosted a radio program called “The Jack Sonni Show” on Radio Baja California Sur.
Approx. Net Worth
His net worth was estimated to be between $1 million to $6 million at the time of his death. However, these figures are not verified and may not reflect his actual wealth.
Personal Life
Jack Sonni was married twice and had three daughters: twins Olivia and Sophia from his first marriage, and Stella from his second marriage. He was also a grandfather of two boys: Leo and Luca. He loved traveling, reading, cooking and spending time with his family and friends.
Death and Legacy
Sonni died on August 30, 2023, after suffering from undisclosed health problems. His death was announced by his former bandmates of Dire Straits Legacy (DSL), a group that he joined in 2019 to perform songs from Dire Straits’ catalog around the world. DSL paid tribute to him on social media, calling him “a hell of a musician” and “a hero”. Fans also expressed their condolences and appreciation for his music.
Sonni will be remembered as one of the guitarists who played with one of the most successful rock bands of all time. He will also be remembered for his creativity, versatility and charisma as a musician, a writer and a marketer.
Quick Trivia
- Jack Sonni was the former guitarist of Dire Straits who played on the Brothers in Arms world tour in 1985.
- He was known for his red coat and his nickname “the other guitarist”.
- He also had a successful career as a writer and a marketing executive in the music industry.
- He died on August 30, 2023, at the age of 68.
Q/A
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How did Jack Sonni join Dire Straits?
He met Mark Knopfler and David Knopfler at a guitar shop in New York and became friends with them. He was invited to join the band after David and Hal Lindes left.
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What was Jack Sonni’s role in Dire Straits?
He played guitar synthesizer on “The Man’s Too Strong” and performed live with the band on 248 shows in 23 countries. He also played at the Live Aid concert at Wembley Stadium.
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What did Jack Sonni do after Dire Straits?
He retired from his professional musical career in 1988 and started a second career as a marketing executive in the music industry. He worked for Seymour Duncan, Rivera Guitar Amplifiers, Line 6 and Guitar Center. He also pursued his passion for writing and wrote several novels and short stories. He also hosted a radio program called “The Jack Sonni Show”.
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How did Jack Sonni die?
He died on August 30, 2023, after suffering from undisclosed health problems. His death was announced by his former bandmates of Dire Straits Legacy, a group that he joined in 2019 to perform songs from Dire Straits’ catalog around the world.
