To be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is seen as a great honour and not to be taken lightly. Past recipients have included such luminaries in the music world as Aretha Franklin, Bob Dylan and Eric Clapton’s Cream.

Tradition has it that the ceremony is followed by a live performance by the inductees, but Dire Straits have announced that they won’t be playing. The band has given the reason for this no-show as to the fact that their singer, songwriter and guitarist, Mark Knopfler, has decided not to attend.

Following a website post, rumours had been circulating that they were going to play an acoustic version of “Telegraph Road”, but apparently this was meant to be a joke. Bassist John Illsley explains “That’s not going to happen without Mark being there. That’s Alan Clark (the keyboardist) having a bit of fun. I was hoping people weren’t going to take it too seriously”.

So far, Mark has refused to comment but his bandmate brother David has also pulled out of the ceremony, allegedly following a dispute over travelling expenses, and Mark may have similar concerns. The other members of Dire Straits plan to make the most of the honour and see it as a reward for all the musicians and producers they have worked with in the past.

Fans are not forgotten as John Illsley has said: “I think it’s wonderful for all the people who bought the music and came to see the concerts and stuck with the band all these years.”

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony takes place on Saturday 14 April in Cleveland. Confirmed acts include Nina Simone, Bon Jovi, The Moody Blues, The Cars and Sister Rosetta Tharpe.