JOY DIVISION

Joy Division were an English rock band formed in Salford, Manchester in 1976, and consisted of vocalist Ian Curtis (born July 15, 1956 in Stretford, Lancashire), guitarist and keyboardist Bernard Sumner (born January 4, 1956 in Broughton, Salford), bassist Peter Hook (born February 13, 1956 in Broughton, Salford) and drummer Stephen Morris (born October 28, 1957 in Macclesfield, Cheshire). Joy Division were formed as Warsaw after childhood friends Sumner and Hook had – independently – attended a Sex Pistols concert, and they’d placed an advert looking for a singer in the Manchester branch of Virgin Records. Ian Curtis applied for the position, and was immediately hired without an audition, and after some regional success supporting Buzzcocks, the band looked to replace their first drummer, placing another ad in Virgin to which a young Stephen Morris replied. Joy Division were renamed in 1978 recording their debut EP that December as well as saying cheerio to Warsaw with a final gig that New Year’s Eve. Joy Division caught the attention of music entrepreneur and TV host Tony Wilson and manager Rob Gretton, and were signed to Factory Records and recorded two tracks for an EP that became part of its first release. Joy Division released their debut album Unknown Pleasures in June 1979 and became an instant classic along with its iconic sleeve art. Joy Division effectively ceased to be when, ahead of their first US tour, Ian Curtis took his own life and hanged himself in his kitchen on May 18, 1980. Having made a pact that should any member leave, the remaining members would change the band name, Sumner, Hook and Morris became New Order. Having failed to chart on original release, Unknown Pleasures made its UK Official Album Chart Top 40 debut in 2019 reaching Number 5.