Joy Division

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Salford, Greater Manchester, United Kingdom (1976 – 1980)

Joy Division were a band formed in 1976 in Salford, Greater Manchester, United Kingdom. The band dissolved in May 1980 after the suicide of its lead singer, Ian Curtis. Much of their popularity/reputation arguably resulted from frequent playings on air by iconic DJ John Peel, but it is easy now to overlook the impact that the first album, Unknown Pleasures, had on post-punk music at the time, as reference the number of prominent bands that cited this album as an influence. The remaining members reformed as New Order and they have gone on to achieve much critical and commercial success.

With their dark, cavernous sound and their use of synthesizers and electronics, Joy Division are considered the pioneering band of the post-punk movement of the late 1970s and the early 1980s.

Though they found only modest success during their career, and released only two studio albums, Joy Division have since been acclaimed as one of the most inventive, evocative and influential groups of their era; Thom Jurek writes “They left just a small bit of music and an echo that still rings”.

1976
Inspired by a Sex Pistols gig at the Manchester Lesser Free Trade Hall on July 20, 1976, Bernard Sumner (also credited as “Bernard Dicken” and “Bernard Albrecht”) and Peter Hook formed a band with friend Terry Mason. Sumner bought a guitar, Hook purchased a bass, and Mason a drum kit. The band placed an advertisement in a Manchester record store and recruited Curtis as their singer.

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  • igorlopez_

    We miss you, Ian!

    5 hours ago Reply
  • PlzDontBan

    I'VE GOT THE SPIRIT BUT LOSING FEELING FEELING FEELING FEELING FEELING

    5 hours ago Reply
  • davi-mach

    A morte é foda.

    yesterday evening Reply
  • _tunic_

    We miss you,Ian [2]

    yesterday evening Reply
  • V0LTA13

    RIP Ian. Gone but never forgotten.

    yesterday evening Reply
  • jalpego

    RIP IAN. 18/05 NEVER FORGET [4]

    yesterday evening Reply
  • ParnoidLizard

    RIP Ian Curtis. We are all very grateful for Joy Division, thank you.

    yesterday evening Reply
  • AntarticWinter

    We miss you,Ian

    yesterday evening Reply
  • no_waii

    rest in peace Ian... i remember vistiting this shoutbox last year and typing the same thing. today's a really sad day. i miss Ian somehow.

    yesterday evening Reply
  • vanmjbol

    R.I.P. Ian ♥ Love will tear us apart ♥

    yesterday evening Reply
  • Ultra_DM_

    33. RIP Ian.

    yesterday evening Reply
  • Thais_Milk

    R.I.P. Ian. You live in our ♥! :)

    yesterday evening Reply
  • Cassandra-Leo

    R.I.P. Clearly time for a binge.

    yesterday afternoon Reply
  • steveo87

    33 Years, long live Joy Division

    yesterday afternoon Reply
  • Mattocurtis1

    R.I.P. Ian. <3

    yesterday afternoon Reply
  • cheeze5

    Remembering an old favorite, an inspiration today, Ian Kevin Curtis of Joy Division. A man bearing his soul. Not only did he look into the abyss, but he was able to reach into it and pull out something beautiful, something so authentic that it cannot help but move those who care to listen. His words, unbelievably poetic and insightful for such a young and tender age, continue to be all too poignant, and we remember that he was not only singing about his pain, but about the tragedy of human experience.

    yesterday afternoon Reply
  • waistinglines

    RIP sweet boy. :(

    Yesterday 4:33pm Reply
  • Deeecember

    тебя никогда не забудут.

    Yesterday 3:58pm Reply
  • Chadipoo

    I'M WEEPING RIGHT NOW

    Yesterday 2:42pm Reply
  • grainn

    I miss you Ian :'(

    Yesterday 2:11pm Reply
  • All 9365 shouts