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.
Ian Curtis of Joy Division performing at the Paradiso, Amsterdam in January 1980 wearing his famous 'The Sound and the Fury' t-shirt.
Rare opportunity to own a Joy Division print by Paul Slattery taken at Hope's Carr, Stockport in July 1979. Plus book by Jon Savage.
Cover art for the live single of Wish You Were Here. 'What you see is what you get - two lost souls, swimming in a fish bowl'
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Contact sheet of Joy Division backstage at the YMCA, London in August 1979
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