The Man Who

Visionary producer Martin Hannett (right), as remembered by New Order and Tony Wilson of Factory Records. By Hardeep Phull.

The panicked pulses of Stephen Morris’ drums kick in, Peter Hook follows with a bass line that seems to hover over the top, Bernard Albrecht (as was) spears them both with an unearthly two-note guitar riff and finally, Ian Curtis pensively delivers the first line of the first song on Joy Division’s first album. It’s as good a point to start making a dissection of the frontman’s maladjusted psyche as any, but not here and not now. The 25th anniversary of Curtis’ death has been accompanied by the expected torrent of memorials and rewritten obituaries recalling every aspect of his confused character, and they all use his eventual suicide to conclude that the guide Curtis sought to help him through the darkened paths of his life was never actually found. His band however did find someone to light their way, to help them step away from all things ordinary and to ensure that they would never be forgotten. Trouble is, they just didn’t realise it.

“When Unknown Pleasures was finished, we all thought it was wonderful, except Joy Division who didn’t like it,” recalls ex-Factory Records boss Tony Wilson. Dispensing as usual with any unnecessary politeness when talking about his old label’s golden boys, he still sounds incredulous about the …

by Hardeep Phull
<< Back to Issue 311

You must be a subscriber to view the full article, subscribe now for full access to all online content.

Already a Magazine Subscriber? Register now for online access.

Login Here

Free Newsletter


Subscribe to
our email newsletter by emailing:

anna.bowen@
metropolis.co.uk