This page contains biographical notes on the band members and their close associates.
When you have finished, click on the picture of Ian Curtis to return to the index.
| These are your friends, from childhood through youth
Who goaded you on .... |
| Ian Kevin Curtis: Born 15th July 1956, died 18th May 1980 | |||||
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Vocals, 1976 to 1980; also wrote the song lyrics
Occasionally played Vox Phantom and Vox Teardrop guitars Brought up in Macclesfield, where he attended the Kings School Worked in a record store which expanded his musical interests Later worked as a civil servant in Manchester and in Macclesfield Lyrically inspired by WS Burroughs, JG Ballard and David Bowie His frenetic stage style mirrored the epileptic fits he suffered Married Deborah Woodruff on 23rd August 1975 in Henbury Committed suicide on the eve of Joy Division's planned US tour | ||||
| Peter Hook: Born 13th February 1956 | |||||
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Bass, 1976 to 1980; occasionally sang backing vocals
Played a Yamaha bass and a Shergold Marathon six-string bass Brought up mainly in Salford; went to Salford Grammar School Worked in Manchester at the Town Hall and on the Ship Canal Noted for playing his bass almost in the style of a lead guitar Continued as bass player with New Order after Ian's death Formed Revenge in 1989 with Dave Hicks and Chris Jones Formed Monaco with David Potts (who had joined Revenge) Married TV comedienne Caroline Aherne in 1994 (now divorced) | ||||
| Stephen Morris: Born 28th October 1957 | |||||
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Drums, August 1977 to 1980
Equally at home with both traditional and electronic drum kits (a Black Rodgers drum kit; Simmonds and Synare synthesisers) Brought up in Macclesfield, where he attended the Kings School Initially worked for a time in his father's kitchen fitting business Continued with New Order on drums and later on synthesisers His face appears on the cover of New Order's album Low Life Formed The Other Two with keyboard player Gillian Gilbert Married Gillian Gilbert, partner in New Order and The Other Two | ||||
| Bernard (Barney) Sumner: Born 4th January 1956 | |||||
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Guitar, 1976 to 1980; synthesiser 1979 to 1980
(Gibson and Shergold guitars; Powertran and ARP synthesisers) Brought up in Salford, where he attended Salford Grammar School Also used the surnames Dicken and Albrecht in his early career Worked for a company who did cartoon animations for television Continued as guitarist with New Order, also taking over the vocals Formed Electronic in 1989 with Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr Guested on records by the Chemical Brothers and Primal Scream Married Sue Barlow on 28th October 1978 (since divorced) | ||||
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