Today, Ian Kevin Curtis would have celebrated his 60th birthday. He was the lead singer and creative force behind Joy Division. One of rock music’s all-time greatest cult bands, they released just two albums, never really sold many records, and never played in stadiums, but they went on to influence entire generations of musicians. A small, slight man who worked at Manchester City Council by day, was a devoted family man by night, and transformed into a rock provocateur at the weekends.
Curtis didn’t just sing about loneliness, depression and self-doubt – he actually experienced these feelings first-hand. They were triggered by the conflict between his family life and his life as a musician, an affair that destroyed his marriage, and his fragile health, which was marked by epileptic seizures. These became increasingly severe as Joy Division grew more successful.
One of my biggest mistakes was holding Joy Division’s first EP, An Ideal For Living, in my hands at my favorite record shop and not buying it, because I thought the cover featured too much Nazi symbolism. Even after almost 50 years, this EP is still well worth a listen. Songs that are unrivalled in their blend of emotion and rebellion.
Joy Division - No Love Lost
Joy Division - Leaders Of Men
Joy Division - Warsaw
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