Dire Straits, reputedly the biggest rock band in the world in the mid-1980s when their LP Brothers In Arms was selling millions of copies, split up in 1992.

The Straits, which sounds like a tribute act, is a group of seven musicians two of whom are from Dire Straits. Saxophonist Chris White had two spells with Mark Knopfler and the boys totalling seven or eight years.

Keyboard player Alan Clark was with them from 1980 to 1992: 12 years of solid rock, on the road, playing in ever bigger arenas, making records.

After Dire Straits’s last official concert in Zaragoza football stadium, with an audience of 40,000, he was ready, as he says, to come off the road and take a break.

“It lasted 23 years – long enough to get over the burn-out,” he said. At the age of 62, he’s back on the road with The Straits, fired by the ambition to “climb Everest all over again,” said Alan.

“The response we get wherever we play is phenomenal, which drives us on. The reason is Dire Straits fans are hearing the music played properly.

“It’s an ambition of mine now to get this band to succeed, to have a successful record and do it properly. We are going to make a record of original material in 2014. We’ve already had interest from a US record label.”

What do you ask a man who has played in a band with worldwide record sales of 120m copies and has besides made music with Bob Dylan, Tina Turner, the Bee Gees and Eric Clapton?

So I asked, of all the places he has played (Australia four times) and the musicians he has played with, what was the most fun he’s had?

“Touring the States with Eric Clapton between 1987 and 1990. I was in his band for three years. I had to leave to go back to Dire Straits. Those three years were the most enjoyable because Eric tours at the most leisurely rate.

“We were in a private jet, staying at the best hotel in town, the lap of luxury. Four limousines would take the band from the hotel to an airfield or an airport, right to the steps of the aeroplane – you can’t do that now because of security.

“There was food and drink. If we were in New York, we’d fly to Philadelphia. Cars would meet us and take us straight to the concert. We’d play the show and go straight back into the cars. There were towels and everything.

“We were taken back to the airport. In the jet, food was laid out. Four cars met us at the other end. We were back in the hotel by midnight.”

I suppose you could say, almost in the words of the old Free song, that’s suffering in style.

The Straits have been playing in various parts of Europe. In February they are playing 14 shows in England, including Bradford.

“We are playing small provincial gigs because we like doing that. It’s not exactly full-time – we have each got things going on – but it is a serious venture. We are looking at making it a permanent thing,” he added.

The Sultans of Swing, well almost, are on the road again.

The Straits play St George’s Hall on February 12. For tickets, ring (01274) 432000.