Joy Division, Ian Curtis third from left
It’s hard to believe. Was it really that long ago?
Ian Curtis ended his life on 18 May; that’s thirty years ago today. Ian joined Joy Division in 1976 when he was 19 as a songwriter, lyricist and vocalist for the band. His dark, haunted voice echoed the brooding music with statements of alienation, despair, regret, urban decay and loss.
Curtis was born 15 July 1956 outside of Manchester, England. At the time of his death his epilepsy was adversely affecting his health and his marriage was stressed by the demands of being in an popular band in the UK that was preparing for its first US tour. Curtis’ body was discovered the morning of 18 May 1980 by his wife, Debbie. She later wrote about her life with and the death of Ian in a 1995 book titled “Touching From a Distance.”
Thirty years ago I barely knew who Joy Division was. I was working at WXYC, a college radio station in Chapel Hill, NC. The station manager, Bill Burton, walked in while I was on the air and handed me a new, sealed copy of Closer – the second Joy Division album. I was intrigued by it stark album cover and song titles. He said he thought I would like this. Not at first, but gradually over time I came to list it among my top LPs (and later CDs).
Ian Curtis was only 23 when he died. His band mates regrouped as New Order and continued to make music until 2008 when New Order formally called it a day. There’s something precious about Joy Division – it still demands attention and even its more upbeat songs like “Interzone” still feels fragile, sharp and smarting.
The title of this article refers to the Joy Division song “Transmission,” one of their best.
UPDATE: Just read this JD walking-tour article in the Guardian.
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