Peter Hook has definitively dismissed reuniting with his former New Order and Joy Division bandmates at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony this November, citing prolonged discord and a drawn-out legal fight that he says resulted in substantial losses. The 70-year-old bassist, who established both iconic British bands, made his position crystal clear when asked if he would take the stage with Bernard Sumner, Stephen Morris and Gillian Gilbert for the honour. “No. No. Not after what they did to me and my family, no,” Hook told Rolling Stone, adding that ethics count more than the optics of a reunion. Whilst Hook says he is still eager to attend the ceremony, his unwillingness to play alongside his ex-bandmates promises to cast a shadow over what should be a celebratory moment for two of Britain’s most impactful musical groups.
A Decade of Silence and Legal Turmoil
The roots of Hook’s antagonism are profound, rooted in the aftermath of Ian Curtis’s death in 1980. When the Joy Division vocalist took his own life, the surviving band members eventually regrouped under the New Order name, with Hook functioning as the band’s bass player throughout their most profitable period. However, the relationship began to fracture when Hook left in 2007, convinced that New Order had exhausted its potential. His departure, he felt, would constitute the final conclusion of the group. Instead, his onetime partners harboured different intentions.
When Sumner, Morris and Gilbert reconstituted New Order in 2011 without informing Hook, the bassist felt betrayed. The move triggered a long-running and costly legal conflict over the band’s name and royalties — a dispute that Hook claims took up the equivalent of six years of his wages. Though the dispute was eventually settled in 2017, the financial and emotional toll has created lasting wounds. Hook remains estranged from Sumner or Gilbert in 15 years, and his communication with Morris has been restricted to sporadic communication over the past four or five years, making reconciliation unlikely before November’s ceremony.
- Ian Curtis died by suicide in 1980, resulting in Joy Division’s breakup
- Hook left New Order in 2007, believing the band had finished
- The surviving members reunited without Hook in 2011, triggering court battles
- Settlement reached in 2017, but interpersonal bonds stay broken
The Induction No One Expected to Mend
Despite his unwillingness to share the stage with his ex-band members, Hook has confirmed he will attend the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame ceremony in November. However, his attendance will prove a mixed experience, marked primarily by recognition of the historical importance of Joy Division and New Order than by any sense of genuine connection. The bass player has been clear that his attendance is motivated by factors entirely separate from his distant band members. “For many, many reasons … not one other member of the band is a reason,” he stated bluntly, highlighting precisely how divided the group has become despite their significant impact on post-punk and electronic music.
The induction, whilst a fitting tribute to two bands that profoundly transformed British music, has become something of an awkward affair for all involved. What might ordinarily serve as an chance for contemplation and reconciliation has instead become a sobering testament of unresolved grievances and the limits of nostalgia. Hook’s decision not to participate has already cast a shadow over the proceedings, transforming what should be a victorious occasion into a public acknowledgement of internal discord. The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, typically a venue for feel-good moments and unexpected reunions, will instead bear witness to one of rock music’s most painful and enduring rifts.
Hook’s Conditions for Rapprochement
When pressed on the possibility of reconciliation, Hook presented a scenario so laden with sarcasm it was impossible to miss his true feelings. He imagined Bernard Sumner coming to him with an apology: “Hey Hooky, sorry about that eight-year court case that set you back six years’ wages. I’m really sorry about it. We should maybe have just had a chat about it.” The musician’s flat tone when describing this imagined meeting made clear that such an apology remains squarely within the domain of fantasy. Without genuine acknowledgement of the harm done and the financial toll extracted, Hook appears reluctant to entertain thoughts of reconciliation.
Yet Hook hasn’t entirely closed the door on the prospect of eventual reconciliation, recognising that people is unpredictable and emotions can shift unexpectedly. “So you never know, dear. Life is brimming with surprises. I’m sure that could be a wonderful one,” he said with characteristic wryness. The bassist drew a compelling parallel, suggesting that even those we believe we could never forgive might surprise us with a act of sincere remorse. However, the onus, he made clear, rests squarely on his ex-bandmates to take the first meaningful step toward reconciliation—something that appears improbable before the autumn ceremony.
Opposing Views from Either Party
Whilst Peter Hook has been direct and explicit about his unwillingness to take part in any comeback, his former bandmates have presented a notably different public posture. Bernard Sumner, Stephen Morris and Gillian Gilbert have predominantly refrained from comment on the issue, neither confirming nor denying their prospects for the November induction event. This imbalance in messaging has resulted in significant ambiguity about how the evening will develop, with Hook’s defiant stance standing in stark contrast to the comparative silence coming from the remaining three members. The missing coordinated statement from New Order suggests either a deliberate strategy of restraint or a fundamental disagreement about how to manage the circumstances publicly.
The split in their statements to the media illustrates the widening gulf that has developed between the parties since their 2007 separation and following legal complications. Hook’s willingness to speak candidly about his complaints stands in stark contrast to what appears to be a tendency from his past associates to let the matter rest. Whether this quiet reflects an bid to protect reputation, prevent additional disputes, or just proceed without revisiting previous disagreements remains unclear. What is certain is that the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction will occur against a backdrop of essentially conflicting stories about what took place and what needs to come next.
| Party | Public Position |
|---|---|
| Peter Hook | Definitively refusing to perform or reunite with bandmates; openly discussing the legal battle and emotional toll; leaving reconciliation only possible if former members apologise sincerely |
| Bernard Sumner, Stephen Morris and Gillian Gilbert | Largely silent on reunion plans; no public statements confirming or denying participation in the ceremony; maintaining apparent restraint regarding past disputes |
| Rock & Roll Hall of Fame | Proceeding with induction of both Joy Division and New Order despite internal tensions; providing venue for honouring both acts regardless of personal conflicts between members |
The Oasis Precedent and Diminishing Prospects
The shadow of Oasis dominates talk surrounding prospective rock comebacks, yet Hook’s position diverges notably from Liam and Noel Gallagher’s latest reunion. Whilst the Gallagher brothers finally returned to a collaborative arrangement after nearly three decades of acrimony, Hook appears far less inclined toward such a settlement. The Oasis reunion proved that even the most strained band relationships could be mended, particularly when economic incentives and public opinion coincided. However, Hook’s principled stance suggests that monetary considerations and nostalgia by themselves cannot bridge the divide created by what he views as a fundamental betrayal during the 2011 reformation.
Hook’s conditional language—suggesting a reunion could happen solely should Sumner offered a heartfelt apology—hints at a faint chance, though his sardonic tone suggests he harbours minimal real hope of such an overture. The bass player has spent years working through the psychological and monetary consequences from the legal dispute, and that built-up resentment appears to have calcified into something less susceptible to the sort of commercial pressures that might otherwise compel a reconciliation. Unlike Oasis, where each side eventually acknowledged their common heritage and reciprocal advantage, Hook seems determined to protect his integrity more than anything, even if it entails sacrificing a possibly glorious occasion at one of rock music’s most prestigious ceremonies.
- Hook emphasises ethical principles ahead of financial gain in his decision not to reunite
- The 2017 court agreement addressed monetary issues but not emotional damage
- Genuine reconciliation would require remarkable admission from Sumner