British Rock Band Dire Straits ‘Mark Knopfler’ Inspired Naming of A Dinosaur

Fact: The Famous British rock band “Dire Straits” inspired the naming of a new species of dinosaur with their music lyrics when the bones with discovered.
One of the most unique alternative music groups was Dire Straits, well known for their electronic sound as well as for their cutting edge lyrics. The band had any number of hits in the United States and abroad. They are the first and to date only group whose music has inspired the naming of a dinosaur.

The discovery of a theropod dinosaur was made several years ago–a creature that was alive during the late Cretaceous period in Madagascar. Upon discovery the dino was named the ‘Masiakasaurus knopfleri’. It was named that in honor of the Dire Straits guitarist Mark Knopfler. While trekking through Madagascar, the palaeontologists were listening to Dire Straits. They had on one of the group’s recordings when they discovered the new dinosaur and named it in the guitarists honor.

Some of the songs they listened to were off albums such as Dire Straits Romeo and Juliet and Dire Straits Money for Nothing. The Romeo and Juliet album was inspired by Mark Knopfler’s failed romance with Holly Vincent from the band “Holly and the Italians.” He believed that she used him to boost her bands notoriety.

Lastly, “Walk of Life” was written by Mark Knopfler. The song celebrated the street buskers of London. Hence, the lyrics “Be-Bop-A-Lula” and “What’d I Say,” two phrases that one would have heard in the mid-80s.