Joy Division were an English rock band formed in 1976 in Salford, Greater Manchester. Originally named Warsaw, the band consisted of singer Ian Curtis, guitarist and keyboardist Bernard Sumner, bassist Peter Hook, and drummer Stephen Morris.
Formed by Sumner and Hook after the two attended a Sex Pistols gig, Joy Division moved beyond their punk roots to develop a sound and style that made them one of the pioneers of the post-punk movement. They released four singles, three EP's (including compilations with other artists), and three full length albums – "Unknown Pleasures" (#71, 1979), "Closer" (#6, 1980) and the compilation "Still" (#5, 1981). Their best known song, "Love Will Tear Us Apart", reached number 13 in the pop charts during summer 1980: it has since become a 20th century classic.
In May 1980, on the eve of the band's first American tour, Curtis, aged 23, committed suicide. After Curtis's death, the remaining members continued as New Order and achieved critical and commercial success. Although their career spanned less than four years, Joy Division have continued to exert a vast influence on a variety of subsequent artists
Classic early shot of Joy Division rehearsing at the TJ Davidson's Rehearsal Rooms in August 1979
Joy Division on the Princess Parkway in Hulme, Manchester in January 1979
Iconic shot of Joy Division walking in the snow near Manchester Cathedral in 1979
Ian Curtis taking a break during rehearsal at the TJ Davidson's Rehearsal Room, Manchester in August 1979
Contact sheet of Joy Division backstage at the YMCA, London in August 1979
Joy Division backstage before a gig at the YMCA London (supported by Monochrome Set) in August 1979.
Angus Young, from AC/DC, captured in a small street outside a press meeting in Copenhagen in 1977
Rod Stewart standing next to his concert tour plane in Los Angeles, December 1977. Rod recalls, "The tour got off to a terrible start."
Billy Idol with Ziggy Stardust flash makeup. New Wave just wouldn’t have been New Wave without Billy to pave the way through the 1980’s.
Taken during the Oasis 'Definitely Maybe' Tour in Detroit, USA in 1995
U2 are an Irish rock band from Dublin. Formed in 1976, the group are one of the world's best-selling music artists of all time.
The Sex Pistols were an English punk rock band formed in 1975. Without them popular culture in the last 30+ years would be very different.
American jazz trumpeter Miles Davis is regarded as one of the most innovative, influential and respected figures in the history of music.
Pink Floyd are currently getting set for the 'Their Mortal Remains' exhibition at the V&A - Check out our range of images for sale.
Welcome to our Jazz & Blues Print Collection - over 50 years of iconic images of the world's greatest Jazz & Blues musicians
Welcome to our Folk & Country Print Collection - iconic images of the world's greatest artists from the past 50 years
We are delighted to share our brand new collection of Bob Dylan prints by photographer Arthur Rosato taken in 1980 during the 'Gospel Years'
Here are the very latest prints we have added to our collection. We hope you love them as much as we do.
