Chris White was a key member of the iconic Dire Straits rock band. Chris has a career spanning almost 40 years in the music industry, where he is known for the saxophone sound that graced some of the biggest hits of the last thirty years. Still a working player and... Read more
Chris White was a key member of the iconic Dire Straits rock band. Chris has a career spanning almost 40 years in the music industry, where he is known for the saxophone sound that graced some of the biggest hits of the last thirty years. Still a working player and songwriter, he has shared stages with some of the icons of 20th Century such as Ray Charles, Robbie Williams and Mark Knopfler.
Chris’s love affair with the saxophone began aged 14, when he was given the instrument by his music teacher. He instantly had an affinity with the sound and was soon working as a stand-in for the very same teacher, covering his gigs at local venues. His desire to earn his way as a musician led Chris to move to London in his late teens, where he soon found work playing live and sessioning for some of the up and coming bands of the time. His first big break came in 1981 when he was asked to play on Nick Heyward’s album ‘North Of A Miracle’ which went on to sell over 100,000 copies. Following this success, his reputation continued to build, playing and recording with Aztec Camera, Chris DeBurgh and Paul McCartney.
The call from Mark Knopfler came in 1983, when Dire Straits were a young, successful band, on the threshold of a massive international career. Within 2 years, the bands success had skyrocketed and on his 30th birthday Chris played the Live Aid concert. Playing the Mandela concert in 1987 was a personal career highlight for Chris. Two world tours and several albums kept Chris working with Dire Straits for many years until the band parted ways in the early 90’s. Post Dire Straits saw further world tours for Chris, with Robbie Williams and Joe Cocker and recording and live work with many more artists, including Ray Charles and Mick Jagger.
Chris’s latest musical endeavour came about following a specific request for a gig at The Royal Albert Hall to play the hits of Dire Straits ‘for one night only’ with a handful of members from the original band. Following the resounding success of the night, the band put together a schedule of dates in the UK and Europe, which was met with phenomenal reception and turned into a full time project. Having toured the USA and Russia in the early part of 2014, Chris now has concerts coming up in Australia, New Zealand and Europe, working as part of ‘The Dire Straits Experience’ bringing those iconic sounds to audiences once again.
Chris White talks with candour and humour of his experiences of a life on the road, both in and out of the spotlight, and the teamwork behind the band. He can also perform some of the saxophone solos he is best known for. He is perfect for an event which wants something slightly different, where he will share his exciting rock stories with the audience igniting everyone’s flame with the wonderful tunes of his saxophone.
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You can book Chris White through London Speaker Bureau by submitting the enquiry form on this page or calling our team. One of our consultants will respond promptly with Chris's current availability, speaking fees and any specific requirements for your event.
Chris White's speaking fees depend on the event format (in-person or virtual), the location, the length of the engagement and the level of customisation required. Please contact London Speaker Bureau for an up-to-date fee quote for Chris tailored to your event.
Chris White speaks on a range of business, leadership and industry subjects. Talks can be shaped around your audience, industry and strategic objectives - share your event brief with London Speaker Bureau and we will work with Chris to align the content with your delegates and goals.
London Speaker Bureau can book Chris White for events worldwide, subject to Chris's schedule. Please send us your event date, location and format and we will confirm availability and handle travel and logistics on your behalf.
Virtual and hybrid keynotes are now a standard part of the speaking industry. Please contact London Speaker Bureau to confirm whether Chris White is available to deliver a virtual session for your event and on which platform (Zoom, Microsoft Teams, a bespoke studio or your own).
Most keynote speeches run between 45 and 60 minutes, often followed by a 15-30 minute Q&A. Other formats - shorter conference slots, panel appearances or longer workshop sessions - may also be possible. Share your agenda with London Speaker Bureau and we will confirm what Chris can accommodate.
London Speaker Bureau will brief Chris White on your audience profile, sector and objectives so the keynote can be shaped around your event. The level of customisation possible depends on the speaker and the lead time - contact us with your brief and we will confirm what Chris can offer.
Chris White delivers keynotes in English. This profile may not list every language available; ask London Speaker Bureau to confirm. If you require simultaneous interpretation or a multilingual format, please mention this in your enquiry and London Speaker Bureau will arrange it for you.
Chris White's areas of expertise include a range of business, leadership and industry subjects. To get a clear sense of Chris's style, credentials and how they engage an audience, please review the biography, popular talks and any videos or testimonials shown on this page, or request a detailed speaker brief from London Speaker Bureau.
Chris White can be booked through London Speaker Bureau for corporate conferences, leadership events, internal team meetings, association gatherings and private client engagements where expertise in a range of business, leadership and industry subjects is relevant. Details of Chris's background and previous engagements are included in the biography above; contact us if you would like a more detailed list of past clients or case studies.
Beyond keynote speeches, many of the speakers on our roster also take part in workshops, executive masterclasses, panel discussions and fireside chats. Contact London Speaker Bureau with your preferred format and we will confirm what Chris White is able to offer alongside or instead of a keynote.
We generally recommend enquiring at least three to twelve months in advance to secure your preferred date with Chris White, particularly during peak conference seasons. Where possible we also accommodate shorter lead times - please contact London Speaker Bureau to check Chris's current availability for your dates.