British punk/post-punk/new wave band formed in 1976 in Salford, Greater Manchester. They were incorrectly named Stiff Kittens on the flyer for their first gig alongside Buzzcocks and Penetration but announced themselves as Warsaw at the start of their first performance. Throughout 1977 they continued under this name up to the recording of the first EP but changed their name to Joy Division at the start of 1978, before releasing their first 7 EP An Ideal For Living. Shortly after the suicide of Ian Curtis on May 18, 1980 – following troubles with grand mal seizures (a form of epilepsy), depression, and other contributing personal factors happening in his life – the band was renamed New Order, following a pact between all four members made long before Curtis’s death that should any member leave, the remaining members would change the name of the group.
Ian Curtis (vocal, occasional guitar), Bernard Sumner (guitar, keyboards), Peter Hooky Hook (bass guitar, backing vocals), and Stephen Morris (drums, percussion).