Sumner, Bernard 1956

Bernard Sumner was born in Salford in 1956. He is a singer, songwriter, musician and record producer, best known for being a founder member of the bands Joy Division and New Order.

Sumner was inspired to form Joy Division with his childhood friend Peter Hook in 1976, after seeing the Sex Pistols perform at Manchester’s Lesser Free Trade Hall. Sumner was the guitarist, keyboard player and occasional vocalist with Joy Division until the death by suicide of singer Ian Curtis in May 1980.

Following the end of Joy Division, Sumner and the other remaining band members Peter Hook and Stephen Morris formed the band New Order. Sumner became the singer in the band.

In 1989, while New Order were on hiatus, Sumner formed the band Electronic with former Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr. Sumner released three albums as a member of Electronic between 1991 and 1999.

In 2009, following a second break for New Order, Sumner formed the band Bad Lieutenant with fellow New Order member and guitarist Phil Cunningham and guitarist and keyboard player Jake Evans.

Sumner has recorded with other musicians including Primal Scream, The Chemical Brothers, 808 State and Sub Sub. He has produced remixes of other artists’ tracks, including A Certain Ratio and Technotronic.

Sumner has also produced records for fellow Factory Records artists including Happy Mondays, 52nd Street and Section 25.