Jack Sonni, the American guitarist who was known as "the other guitarist" in Dire Straits during the band's Brothers in Arms era, has died at the age of 68.
Sonni's death was announced by the Dire Straits Legacy band, which he had been a member of since 2018. The band said in a statement that Sonni was "a genuine guitar enthusiast who loved to play, jam, and talk guitars and amps all day."
Sonni was born in Indiana, Pennsylvania, in 1954. He met Dire Straits founder Mark Knopfler in 1978 while working in a guitar shop in Manhattan. He joined the band in 1984, replacing Hal Lindes, and played on their albums "Brothers in Arms" and "On Every Street."
Sonni left Dire Straits in 1988 to focus on his family. He later worked as a marketing executive for Seymour Duncan, Rivera Guitar Amplifiers, and Line 6. He also played with several other bands, including the Dire Straits Legacy.
Sonni's death is a loss to the world of rock music. He was a talented guitarist and a passionate musician who will be remembered for his contributions to Dire Straits and his love of the guitar.
In a tribute to Sonni, Mark Knopfler said: "Jack was a great guitarist and a great friend. He was a big part of the Brothers in Arms era and his playing can be heard on some of our most iconic songs. He will be missed by all of us who knew him."
Sonni's family has asked that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the American Heart Association.
