04/12/2009 00:49:00

Eighties band Dire Straits has been honoured with a Music Heritage Plaque at the location where the band first performed in London.

The plaque, which was awarded by the Performing Right Society (PRS) in honour of the band's influential career, has been mounted outside a south London block of flats - the spot the British rock quartet played their first gig.

Its unveiling was attended by three members of the group: founding member Mark Knopfler, his brother David Knopfler and bass guitarist John Illsley. All three expressed gratitude at the honour, recalling the performance which took place 32 years before when they were all living in the south east England city.

Speaking to the BBC, Glasgow-born Mark Knopfler said: "John was the only one of us with a car back then and he would pile everything in and drive to the gig and the rest of us would catch the bus.

"They were great days and we still have great memories."

Dire Straits formed in 1977 and were extremely popular over the next decade, releasing hits like Brothers in Arms, Money for Nothing and Sultans of Swing. They sold over 120 million albums and were awarded with many prestigious accolades from various establishments, including four Grammies and three Brit Awards.

Leicester-born John Illsley said: "It's a real privilege to return under such positive circumstances to the place where Dire Straits were conceived and did their first gig."

The band concluded its career in the early 90s.