Dire Straits find success with ‘Sultans of Swing’, Supertramp makes it big in US Mark Knopfler of Dire Straits Image Credit: GN Archives Budget song ‘Sultans of Swing’ propels Dire Straits into the post-punk limelight 1978 Mark Knopfler of Dire Straits Image Credit: GN Archives ‘Sultans of Swing’, Dire Straits’ debut single, was the first released on a major label. It was one of five songs recorded on a demo tape in July 1977 with a budget of just £120. The tape was first played on Radio London and the band quickly built up a huge fan following and became in overnight sensation