CNN —Jack Sonni, former guitarist for British rock band Dire Straits, has died, the group announced on social media. “#JackSonni Rest In Peace” the band wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter, on Thursday alongside a black and white photograph of the guitarist. Sonni, who was born in Indiana, Pennsylvania, met founding Dire Straits members and guitarists David and Mark Knopfler while working in a guitar shop in Manhattan in 1978, according to a post on the Dire Straits Blog, which was shared by the band on social media. “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,” Illsley wrote in a post on Facebook Thursday. Alongside his musical career, Sonni was also a writer and hosted a podcast, “The Leisure Class with Jack Sonni.”

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Persons: Jack Sonni, Sonni, David, Mark Knopfler, John Illsley, Pick Withers, ” –, – Sonni, “, ”, ” Illsley Organizations: CNN, Dire Straits, Arms, Billboard, Facebook Locations: British, Indiana , Pennsylvania, Manhattan