Hal Lindes

American musician

Hal Andrew Lindes (born 30 June 1953) is an American–English guitarist and film score composer best known for his time as a member of Dire Straits. In 1979, he played guitar with the new wave group Darling. Signed to Charisma Records, they released the single "Do You Wanna" (written by Lindes) and published the album Put It Down To Experience the same year, before breaking up. Lindes is best known for his work as a full time member of British rock band Dire Straits from late 1980 until late 1984.

Lindes became a full time member of Dire Straits at the end of 1980, shortly after the release of the group's third album, Making Movies. He replaced original co founding member and rhythm guitarist David Knopfler. Lindes toured with Dire Straits while they were promoting Making Movies and remained with the band while they recorded their fourth album, 1982's Love Over Gold. Lindes was also with the band for the EP titled ExtendedancEPlay released in early 1983, which included the hit single “Twisting by the Pool”. Also during 1982 and 1983, Dire Straits’ frontman Mark Knopfler was involved with composing the music score for David Puttnam's film Local Hero, in which Lindes also performed. Lindes toured with Dire Straits for their 1982–1983 Love over Gold Tour. The band's double live album Alchemy: Dire Straits Live was a recording of excerpts from the final two concerts from that tour at London's Hammersmith Odeon in July 1983, featuring Lindes, and was released in March 1984. In December 1984, while Dire Straits were recording tracks for their Brothers In Arms album, Lindes was fired. He was replaced by New York–based guitarist Jack Sonni.

In 1984, Lindes played guitar on Tina Turner’s hit "Private Dancer", from the album of the same name. Since his departure from Dire Straits, Lindes has composed music for films, and has won a Royal Television Society Award for the BAFTA award nominated film Reckless and a TRIC award for Best TV Theme Music. Lindes composed the soundtrack to The Boys Are Back, a Miramax film directed by Scott Hicks and starring Clive Owen, in which his guitar score is paired with songs by Sigur Rós, Ray Lamontagne and Carla Bruni. In 1989, Lindes teamed up with rock singer Fish to contribute guitar to his debut solo album following his departure from Marillion. Vigil in a Wilderness of Mirrors was released in January 1990, and Lindes co wrote three songs on the album. He composed the theme music for the 1990s BBC TV series Between the Lines.

Lindes has four children and is the father of musician and model Staz Lindes.