Joy Division

Joy Division was a post-punk band from Salford, England, formed in 1976 by Ian Curtis, Bernard Sumner, Peter Hook, and Stephen Morris. Working with producer Martin Hannett at Factory Records, they developed a sound of stark, glacial intensity — cavernous drums, bass-driven melodies, and Curtis's baritone vocals addressing isolation, illness, and disintegration. Unknown Pleasures (1979) and Closer (1980) are among the most influential records in post-punk history. Curtis died by suicide on 18 May 1980, the night before their first US tour; the remaining members formed New Order. Their influence on subsequent decades of guitar-based and electronic music is incalculable.