History Music / JoyDivision

* ShoutOut: The band's original name of ''Warsaw'' was directly inspired by the Music/DavidBowie song [[Music/LowDavidBowieAlbum "Warszawa"]].

* BoxedSet: Two are known to exist. The first is ''1977-1980'', a [[NoExportForYou Japan-exclusive]] set released in 1990 compiling the band's two studio albums, the ''Still'' and ''Substance'' compilations, and a CD version of the "Atmosphere"/"She's Lost Control" single, all uncompressed and sourced from the original master tapes. Because all other CD releases of Joy Division's material is sourced from second-generation copies and/or [[LoudnessWar noticeably brickwalled]], this set is considered the a holy grail among Joy Division fans. The second box set is ''Heart and Soul'', a 1997 (issued stateside by Rhino in 2001) compilation of every single Joy Division recording that London Records could find in the vaults at the time, properly remastered and presented as a sort of retrospective of the band. It is rather notable for being the only official source for the band's final recording, a May 14, 1980 studio rehearsal of "Ceremony".

A well known [[UsefulNotes/{{Britain}} English]] PostPunk band.

Joy Division formed after guitarist Bernard Sumner and bassist Peter Hook attended a Music/SexPistols concert in Manchester on 4 June 1976, and were inspired to form a band. The additions of vocalist Ian Curtis and drummer Stephen Morris, completed the line-up. Initially named ''Warsaw'' (under which name they recorded an unreleased album, later bootlegged), the band changed its name to ''Joy Division'' in late 1977, which got them in trouble at first, because of its fascist overtones.

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* LeadBassist: Peter Hook carried the melody on a Rickenbacker bass, not unlike [[{{Music/Yes}} Chris Squire]] or [[{{Music/Rush}} Geddy Lee]]. His tendency to play basslines rather high up on the bass came about because in the early days of the band, it was the only way he could be heard with a weak amplifier.

* BoxedSet: Two are known to exist. The first is ''1977-1980'', a [[NoExportForYou Japan-exclusive]] set released in 1990 compiling the band's two studio albums, the ''Still'' and ''Substance'' compilations, and a CD version of the "Atmosphere"/"She's Lost Control" single, all uncompressed and sourced from the original master tapes. Because all other CD releases of Joy Division's material is sourced from second-generation copies and/or [[LoudnessWar noticeably brickwalled]], this set is considered the a holy grail among Joy Division fans. The second box set is ''Heart and Soul'', a 1997 compilation of every single Joy Division recording that London Records could find in the vaults at the time, properly remastered and presented as a sort of retrospective of the band. It is rather notable for being the only official source for the band's final recording, a May 14, 1980 studio rehearsal of "Ceremony".

* BoxedSet: Two are known to exist. The first is ''1977-1980'', a [[NoExportForYou Japan-exclusive]] set released in 1990 compiling the band's two studio albums, ''Still'', ''Substance'', and a CD version of the "Atmosphere"/"She's Lost Control" single, all uncompressed and sourced from the original master tapes. Because all other CD releases of Joy Division's material is sourced from second-generation copies and/or [[LoudnessWar noticeably brickwalled]], this set is considered the a holy grail among Joy Division fans. The second box set is ''Heart and Soul'', a 1997 compilation of every single Joy Division recording that London Records could find in the vaults at the time, properly remastered and presented as a sort of retrospective of the band. It is rather notable for being the only official source for the band's final recording, a May 14, 1980 studio rehearsal of "Ceremony".

* BoxedSet: ''Heart and Soul''

However, the relentless touring negatively effected the band. Ian Curtis had epilepsy, and sometimes suffered seizures during concerts, leading to their cancellation. His seizures were getting worse as the band continued touring, but he pushed himself to the point of exhaustion, as the band needed to tour to become better-known in the fairly exclusive music scene of the 1970s: He concealed the extent of his disability until the breaking point. His lack of sleep and alcohol abuse only added to his severe depression; he committed suicide on 18 May 1980 (supposedly after watching ''Film/{{Stroszek}}'' on TV and listening to Music/IggyPop's ''Music/TheIdiot''). Their second and final album ''Music/{{Closer}}'' was released in 1980 to both critical and commercial success, and is widely seen as their masterpiece.

* TheBandMinusTheFace: Music/NewOrder. {{Averted|Trope}} thanks to the band's success, although literally true as in ''New Order'', Gillian was on the keyboards not vocals.

Joy Division was formed after guitarist Bernard Sumner and bassist Peter Hook, attended a Music/SexPistols concert in Manchester on 4 June 1976, and were inspired to form a band. The additions of vocalist Ian Curtis and drummer Stephen Morris, completed the line-up. Initially named ''Warsaw'' (under which name they recorded an unreleased album, later bootlegged), the band changed its name to ''Joy Division'' in late 1977, which got them in trouble at first, because of its fascist overtones.

As Joy Division, they recorded an EP, which was basically UsefulNotes/{{Punk}} with literary lyrics. This and playing around Manchester, brought the group to the attention of Tony Wilson, and they joined his record label Creator/FactoryRecords. After a month in the studio with producer Martin Hannett, who completely changed their sound, their debut album ''Music/UnknownPleasures'' was released in 1979. In between touring, their second album ''Music/{{Closer}}'' was released in 1980. Both were critically acclaimed.

However, the relentless touring negatively effected the band. Ian Curtis had epilepsy, and sometimes suffered seizures during concerts, leading to their cancellation. His seizures were getting worse as the band continued touring, but he pushed himself to the point of exhaustion, as the band needed to tour to become better-known in the fairly exclusive music scene of the 1970s: He concealed the extent of his disability until the breaking point. His lack of sleep and alcohol abuse only added to his severe depression; he committed suicide on 18 May 1980 (supposedly after watching ''Film/{{Stroszek}}'' on TV and listening to Music/IggyPop's ''Music/TheIdiot'').

* GrandFinale: "Love Will Tear Us Apart," released after Ian Curtis' suicide, ended up becoming their most famous song. He even had the cover for the single made to look like a tombstone, and it was the only music video they filmed before he took his own life. It's very bittersweet.

* ShoutOut: The band's original name of ''Warsaw'' was directly inspired by the Music/DavidBowie song [[Music/{{Low}} "Warszawa"]].

* {{Yarling}}: Ian adopted this kind of singing voice once Joy Division shifted to post-punk.

[[caption-width-right:350: Here are the young men. Joy Division in the late-'70s. From left to right: [[Music/NewOrder Bernard Sumner,]] Ian Curtis, [[Music/NewOrder Stephen Morris,]] and [[Music/NewOrder Peter Hook.]]]]

However, the relentless touring negatively effected the band. Ian Curtis had epilepsy, and sometimes suffered seizures during concerts, leading to their cancellation. His seizures were getting worse as the band continued touring, but he pushed himself to the point of exhaustion, as the band needed to tour to become better-known in the fairly exclusive music scene of the 1970's: He concealed the extent of his disability until the breaking point. His lack of sleep and alcohol abuse only added to his severe depression; he committed suicide on 18 May 1980 (supposedly after watching ''Film/{{Stroszek}}'' on TV and listening to Music/IggyPop's ''Music/TheIdiot'').

** He may well have been a JerkassWoobie, if his mental illness and physical illness are anything to go by. The biopic on his life, ''Control'' seems to endorse this viewpoint.

[[caption-width-right:350: Joy Division in the late-'70s. From left to right: [[Music/NewOrder Bernard Sumner,]] Ian Curtis, [[Music/NewOrder Stephen Morris,]] and [[Music/NewOrder Peter Hook.]]]]