Joy Division 1976 - 1980

Guitarist Bernard Sumner and bassist Peter Hook formed Joy Division in Salford in 1976. Singer Ian Curtis joined soon afterwards. Originally known as Stiff Kittens and then Warsaw, the band had three drummers before Stephen Morris joined in August 1977. The band recorded an album for RCA Records in May 1978 which was never officially released. They self-released their debut recording, the EP An Ideal for Living, in June 1978. Two Joy Division tracks, 'Digital' and 'Glass', were recorded with Martin Hannett for the first release on Factory Records, the double 7-inch EP A Factory Sample. The band joined Factory Records and released two singles, 'Transmission' and 'Love Will Tear Us Apart', and two albums, Unknown Pleasures and Closer, through the label. Curtis's death by suicide in May 1980 ended the band. The remaining members re-formed as New Order.