Time Line
1976
Inspired by a Sex Pistols gig at the Manchester Lesser Free Trade Hall on July 20, 1976, guitarist Bernard Sumner (also credited as "Bernard Dicken", "Bernard Albrecht" and "Bernard Albrecht-Dicken") and Bass guitarist Peter Hook formed a band with friend Terry Mason, who attempted to play drums but did not last long in the band.
They placed an advertisement in a Manchester record store and recruited singer Ian Curtis. Curtis knew Sumner, Hook, and Mason from previous gigs and was also in attendance at the Sex Pistols gig with his wife, Deborah.
1977
April
A band called Warsaw is formed in Manchester, England. It consists of vocalist Ian Curtis, bassist Peter Hook, and guitarist Bernard Sumner (aka Bernard Albrecht).
March
Warsaw plays its first gig at Manchester's Electric Circus. Drummer Tony Tabac joins the night of the show.
July
After a brief touring stint, Warsaw recruits a new drummer, school chum Stephen Morris. The group records for the first time: a 7" titled An Ideal For Living. It features four cuts: "Warsaw," "No Love Lost," "Leader Of Men," and "Failure Of The Modern Man."
1978
March
Warsaw changes their name to Joy Division.
May
Joy Division interviewed on BBC rock music program, Saturday Rock. They bring along a new version of the An Ideal For Living EP.
September
Joy Division appears on Granada TV performing a new song, "Shadowplay."
December
Joy Division signs with Factory Records, the Manchester independent label run by Tony Wilson and Alan Erasmus.
1979
Joy Division releases their debut album Unknown Pleasures (June). The record is produced by Martin Hannett and receives critical acclaim in the British music press.
The band embarks on extensive touring throughout the UK, building a dedicated following. Ian Curtis's epilepsy is first publicly disclosed.
1980
March
Joy Division releases their second album Closer. The single "Love Will Tear Us Apart" is also released and becomes a UK hit.
May 18
Ian Curtis takes his own life, aged 23, on the eve of the band's first North American tour. Joy Division disbands.
Late 1980
The three surviving members — Sumner, Hook and Morris — form a new group. They recruit Morris's girlfriend, Gillian Gilbert, on keyboards. The group eventually takes the name New Order.
1981
New Order release their debut single "Ceremony" (March) — the last Joy Division composition — which reaches the UK Top 40. Their debut album Movement follows in November.
1982–1983
New Order release Power, Corruption & Lies (May 1983), widely considered one of the greatest albums of the decade. "Blue Monday" — issued as a standalone 12-inch in March 1983 — becomes the best-selling 12-inch single of all time in the UK and remains a landmark moment in electronic and dance music.
1986–1989
Brotherhood (1986) and Technique (1989) cement the band's status. Technique debuts at #1 in the UK. New Order also record "World in Motion" with the England football squad for the 1990 World Cup, which reaches #1.
1993
Republic is released (May) and debuts at #1 in the UK. Factory Records collapses later in the year. New Order subsequently sign with London Records. The band goes on an extended hiatus.
2001
New Order return with Get Ready (August), their first album in eight years. Guitarist Phil Cunningham joins to cover for Gillian Gilbert, who stepped back to care for family.
2005
Waiting for the Sirens' Call is released. Gillian Gilbert rejoins the live lineup. The band embarks on a global tour.
2007
Peter Hook departs from New Order amid acrimony. Tom Chapman subsequently joins as bassist. Hook goes on to form Peter Hook & The Light, touring the Joy Division and New Order back catalogues.
2015–present
Music Complete (2015) is released to critical acclaim and reaches #2 in the UK. The band continues to tour worldwide. In 2020 they release the single "Be a Rebel" and an expanded edition of Music Complete. New Order remain one of the most influential acts in the history of British alternative music.