April, 1977        A band called Warsaw is formed in Manchester, England. It consists of vocalists Ian Curtis, bassist Peter Hook and guitarist Bernard Albrecht (aka Barney Rubble.)

 

May, 1977        Warsaw plays its first gig at Manchester's Electric Circus. Drummer Tony Tabac joins the night of the show.

 

July, 1977         After a brief touring stint, Warsaw recruits a new drummer, school chum Stephen Morris. The group records for the first time: a 7" EP titled An Ideal For Living. It features four cuts: "Warsaw," "No Love Lost," "Leader Of Men" and "Failure Of The Modern Man."

March, 1978     Warsaw changes their name to Joy Division.

May, 1978        Joy Division interviewed on BBC rock music program, Saturday Rock. They bring along a new version of the An Ideal For Living EP.

Sept, 1978         Joy Division appears on Granada TV performing a new song, "Shadowplay."

Oct, 1978          Band puts finishing touches on debut LP.

Dec, 1978         London gets its first taste of Joy Division when the band plays the Hope and Anchor Pub in Islington.

Jan, 1979          Joy Division records a session for John Peel's BBC radio show, featuring original material including "She's Lost Control" and "Transmission."

Feb, 1979          Factory Sample EP released featuring two new Joy Division tracks, "Glass" and "Digital." Critic declares them "the missing link between Elvis and the Banshees." Band performs as part of the Factory Sample package tour.

Apr, 1979          Joy Division records new material at Strawberry Studios.

Jun, 1979          Unknown Pleasures, Joy Division's first album is released. Shortly therafter, the single "Transmission" is released.

Aug, 1979         Joy Division opens for the Buzzcocks on a U.K. tour.

Nov, 1979         The group returns to London to cut their second John Peel session. Songs include "The Sound Of Music," "Twenty Four Hours," and "Love Will Tear Us Apart."

Jan, 1980          Joy Division tours Europe, playing Paris, Amsterdam, Brussels, Berlin and elsewhere.

Feb, 1980          Joy Division begins work on new LP at Britannia Row Studios.

April, 1980        The band plays three nights at the Moonlight Club in London. They encore with "Sister Ray" the first night, but by the end of the stint, singer Curtis, in failing health, must be helped off the stage.

May, 1980        On the eve of their first tour of America, Ian Curtis is found dead in his Manchester home. A suicide.

June, 1980        "Love Will Tear Us Apart," released as a single, earns instant critical acclaim. It reaches the Top 20 on U.K.charts. Closer, the last Joy Division album is released.

July, 1980         The three remaining members of the band decide to carry on and enter the studio to begin work on new material

Aug, 1980          The trio begins playing occasional gigs. Grace Jones releases a version of "She's Lost Control."

Sept, 1980        The trio decides on a new name. New Order briefly tours the U.S.

Dec, 1980         On their return home they begin recording a new album as New Order with recently recruited keyboardist and second guitarist Gillian Gilbert.

Jan, 1981         The band plays a series of dates around the U.K., slotting in studio time when they can. Various bootlegs of Joy Division are released.

Apr, 1981         New Order films television special for Granada TV.

June, 1981       New Order leaves for European tour.

July, 1981        Finishing touches on New Order debut LP are made.

Oct, 1981         John Peel previews cuts from Still, a compilation album of Joy Division and New Order singles, on his show. Shortly thereafter, Still is released to unanimous critical praise.

Nov, 1981        Movement, the first album of all New Order material is released. Standout cuts include "Dreams Never End," "Truth," and "Denial."

Dec, 1981        New Order appears on a Granada TV special, each dressed as Santa Claus.

May, 1982       After a touring and recording hiatus, New Order releases the single "Temptation." They appear on John Peel's show for the first as New Order.

Jan, 1983         New Order enters Britannia Row studios to begin work on a new album.

Jun, 1983         Power, Corruption, And Lies released. The single "Blue Monday" tops dance and alternative music charts around the world.

July, 1983        New Order tours U.S. and Europe.

Feb, 1984        Confusion, an EP produced in New York by dance mix master Arthur Baker, is released.

May, 1984       Single, "Thieves Like us," released.

July 1984         Single, "Murder," released.

Feb, 1985         New Order signed to Qwest Records. Work on new album already in progress.

May, 1985       New LP, their first on Qwest, titled Low Life released. Band tours Far East. First Low Life single, "Perfect Kiss." Video of song directed by Jonathan "Stop Making Sense" Demme.

June, 1985       Power, Corruption , And Lies and "Blue Monday" re-released on Qwest Records.

Aug, 1985        New Order tours U.S. "Perfect Kiss" reaches top five on American dance charts.

Feb, 1986        Pretty In Pink, a John Hughes film, released. It features three New Order songs including "Shell Shock" which in included on the movie's platinum-selling soundtrack.

Sept, 1986       New Order release their second Qwest album, Brotherhood. The single, "Bizarre Love Triangle," highlights a remix by Shep Pettibone, the man behind the knobs for Madonna's "True Blue" single and various Pet Sop                            Boys hits.

Oct, 1986         New Order launches extensive American tour. Follows up with appearances in Japan and Australia.

Aug, 1987        Substance the essential New Order compilation released. The collection contains the group's best known material, while the compact disc edition features numerous "B" sides and previously unavailable selections. Substance also includes the new New Order single, "True Faith," currently Top 20 in the U.K. New Order embarks on extensive American tour with Echo And The Bunnymen and Gene Loves Jezebel.

Jan, 1989        New Order releases new album, Technique, featuring the single "Fine Time." LP caps off a year of extensive activity for the group in which Substance becomes their first platinum album. Second Substance single, "Blue Monday 88" features remix by Quincy Jones. Group embarks on extensive U.S. tour and record in September in Peter Gabriel's studio in Bath, England. New Order completes sold out tour of Brazil in November.

© 1989 Qwest