Why did Gillian leave? — Forum Archive

10 Mar 2006, 12:36

Was it because she split up with Steve or something...or did she die? Am I missing something? :confused2:

10 Mar 2006, 12:45

Nicky wrote: Was it because she split up with Steve or something...or did she die? Am I missing something?

Yes, you're missing quite a lot!

Ian died. So did Rob Gretton later, but telling you that will only confuse matters.

Gillian left to look after her and Steve's daughter, who was ill. Phil Cunningham stood in as live guitarist, then joined on a permanent basis (as permanent as anything can be in New Order).

10 Mar 2006, 22:57

I think the little tyke is OK now, but obviously she can't can't tour with young girls who have to go to school and such. But she is still [articpating in soundtrack work... listen for the series cracker, she and steve are doing the st for that.

Oh, you've got me thinking how sad it will be when someone dies from the band....... heck. The way they smoke it like chimneys it may be sooner than we think..

:cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry:

10 Mar 2006, 23:03

mil wrote: ...obviously she can't can't tour...

Why should that prevent her from being in New Order?

10 Mar 2006, 23:17

Well how can she tour when there is no one to look after the kids? That's what I meant, I wasn't making some statement against mothers in the workforce, hell, I'm female, I'm all for it! Steve said that himself, that one of them had to stay home for their girls and it ended up being Gillian because the band couldn't replace him as easily, although he said it better and nicer than that.

10 Mar 2006, 23:20

I think I get what you mean, you mean being in the band without touring? I suppose that's her decision. She could still I suppose be in the studio but it would be tricky for her to tour. Maybe she decided that if she can't do both...? I don't know, I spose we'd have to ask her.

11 Mar 2006, 01:01

mil wrote: Well how can she tour when there is no one to look after the kids? That's what I meant, I wasn't making some statement against mothers in the workforce, hell, I'm female, I'm all for it! Steve said that himself, that one of them had to stay home for their girls and it ended up being Gillian because the band couldn't replace him as easily, although he said it better and nicer than that.

Then how would you explain Gillian's presence, in your country, on New Order's tour 4 years ago, when the announcements had literally only just been made about the possible causes of her absence from New Order. Her and Steve had both daughters in tow as well.

It's not simply a case of her not being able to tour, full stop. Their daughter's ill and Gillian's taken a decision to be (in the main) a stay-at-home Mum. But I don't think it's a stonewall matter of she can't be in New Order, more that she just doesn't really want to be, she has other priorities. And fair play to them for making that decision.

11 Mar 2006, 02:53

mil wrote: I think I get what you mean, you mean being in the band without touring? I suppose that's her decision. She could still I suppose be in the studio but it would be tricky for her to tour. Maybe she decided that if she can't do both...? I don't know, I spose we'd have to ask her.

What I realy meant was that New Order haven't really been 'on tour' for many years. I'm sure they could have got baby sitters for the few dates we've had over the last couple of years without being accused of criminal neglect. The fact that G was spotted at several gigs last year with bin lids in tow adds weight to this. It's probably being part of the writing process and being in the studio that takes up most time. If she's not been involved in writing or recording the new stuff, why tour with it?

All speculation, of course. You'd really need to ask her yourself.

11 Mar 2006, 23:20

Shew was replaced by tapes :thumbdown:

12 Mar 2006, 00:10

Well, I am not on either side here. Someone asked a question and I was throwing around ideas which could be answers. Maybe she had had enough of it all and wanted to spend time with her kids.

12 Mar 2006, 07:52

I still say that she should return and Phil stays on guitar.

12 Mar 2006, 08:12

Gillian never really seemed comfotable as a "rock/pop star", and maybe she didn't want to get back into it in her 40s

maybe she has lost interest in music somewhat, certainly the equipment have changed since the 80s... New Order doesnt seem to have much interest in the retro analog equipment anymore, even thou it has become fashionable again

maybe felt left out when they wanted to play more Joy Division songs and just left it for the old "boys" to relive their salad days

14 Mar 2006, 04:53

pumped full of drugs wrote: Gillian never really seemed comfotable as a "rock/pop star", and maybe she didn't want to get back into it in her 40s

maybe she has lost interest in music somewhat, certainly the equipment have changed since the 80s... New Order doesnt seem to have much interest in the retro analog equipment anymore, even thou it has become fashionable again

maybe felt left out when they wanted to play more Joy Division songs and just left it for the old "boys" to relive their salad days

Ive never looked at it like that. I always thought it was just to do the dutyful mother part (and correct choice too). Youve got me thinking though; I cant imagine her coming back into the new lad order.

15 Mar 2006, 04:09

maybe she has lost interest in music somewhat, certainly the equipment have changed since the 80s... New Order doesnt seem to have much interest in the retro analog equipment anymore, even thou it has become fashionable again

Couple of things:

I remember reading a Select article back in about 1993 (it was the first time I'd heard of the existence of the longer version of Elegia). Steve was reported as talking about how he and Gillian used Macs a lot, specifically in the production of Republic (and more specifically again, Avalanche). Steve was waxing lyrical about how much easier they were to use than the old analogue stuff. Suggests he (and Gillian) were quite happy to see the back of that old analogue stuff...
The Other Two are, or have, or might be, writing the theme tune to the new series of Cracker. Which suggests she still has some interest in music...

And as for her nOT WANTING TO GET BACK INTO LADDISH nEW oRDER? (Arggh... caps lock on) New Order have always been laddish. Kids might change that yr priorities but the band has always been, to use a suitably mancunian phrase, mad fer it.