Former Dire Straits guitarist Jack Sonni dead at 68, band says

Former Dire Straits guitarist Jack Sonni has died, according to a post the band made on X, formerly Twitter.

"#JackSonni Rest In Peace #DireStraits," the band's account wrote.

Sonni, 68, played guitar synthesizer on Dire Straits' 1984 mega-hit album Brothers In Arms, specifically on the track The Man's Too Strong.

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Known as "the other guitarist", for joining up after Dave Knopfler and Hal Lindes had left the band, Sonni also joined them onstage for 1985's Live Aid concert.

Sonni retired from professional music in 1988 after the birth of his daughters.

He began a second career in business, even working as vice president of Guitar Centre, before he turned to writing fiction in 2006.

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Sonni also returned to playing music, both with his own band The Leisure Class, and with Dire Straits Legacy, a group made of former Dire Straits members.

DSL posted about Sonni's death overnight on Facebook.

"Our beloved Jack has left a void in our heart and soul… we will miss you so much, you are forever with us," the band wrote.

Founding Dire Straits member John Illsley also posted.

"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," he wrote.