THE STORY OF JOY DIVISION

One of post-punk's most influential sounds!

PHASE 01: WARSAW

04.06.76

Bernard Sumner and Peter Hook separately attend a Sex Pistols concert at the Manchester Lesser Free Trade Hall. Both leave inspired by the raw and unfiltered sound of punk.

Sumner buys a guitar, Hook procures a bass. They get their friend Mason to handle the drums.

After many name ideas, including “Stiff Kitten” the band debuted as Warsaw--a reference to Warszawa by David Bowie.

They played their first show at Electric Circus with Buzzcocks, Penetration, and John Cooper Clarke.

05.29.77

They played their first show at Electric Circus with Buzzcocks, Penetration, and John Cooper Clarke.

The band gained national exposure due to positive reviews in NME and Sounds.

AUGUST '77

Mason became the manager and Warsaw put out an ad for a new drummer. Stephen Morris soon filled the position.

12.14.77

The band recorded their first EP which included the tracks: Warsaw, No Love Lost, Leaders of Men, and Failures.

JANUARY '78

Warsaw changed their name to Joy Division in order to avoid confusion with another band. They debuted on January 25th as Joy Division at Pip Disco’s Roxy Room.

12.27.78

On the way home from a gig, Ian Curtis has his first severe epileptic seizure, resulting in hospitalization.

PHASE 02: UNKNOWN PLEASURES

APRIL '79

Joy Division recorded their debut album--Unknown Pleasures--at Strawberry Studios.

JUNE '79

Joy Division recorded their debut album--Unknown Pleasures--at Strawberry Studios.Unknown Pleasures was officially released and sold 10,000 copies.

09.15.79

The band makes their first and only nationwide appearance on BBC2’s “something else”.

NOVEMBER '79

“Transmission” was released as a single.

JANUARY '80

Joy Division toured Europe. During the tour Ian Curtis had two grand mal seizures.

PHASE 03: CLOSER

MARCH '80

Joy Division recorded their second and final album with Ian Curtis: CLOSER

Ian Curtis’s seizures started to become worse and more frequent. There were many instances in which he had seizures on stage while performing.

His mental health began to decline along with his physical health.

05.02.80

Joy Division played their final live show at the University of Birmingham. The recording of this show is the only one that Ian Curtis sings “Ceremony” on--the last song he wrote for the band. A studio recording with Curtis was never completed.

05.18.80

On this day Ian Curtis was found having hanged himself in his kitchen. The band was completely shocked. They knew he was struggling but never thought he would do something so severe.

JULY '80

Closer was released and received widespread acclaim.

PHASE 04: NEW ORDER

1980

The band decided to let Joy Division rest for good and reforms a new group with the remaining members. This band was called New Order.

New Order recorded and released “Ceremony” as their debut single

Joy Division’s life span was short but influential. Their unique sound has inspired a plethora of successful musical artists and enthralled a passionate cult following. New Order contains the remnants of Joy Division and the two groups will forever be connected. Even present day New Order has a tribute to Joy Division and Ian Curtis at the end of every show. Joy Division will be remembered.