Peter Hook has firmly rejected reuniting with his ex-bandmates from New Order and Joy Division at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony in November, citing sustained conflict and a drawn-out legal fight that he says caused him significant harm. The septuagenarian bass player, 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 recognition. “No. No. Not after what they did to me and my family, no,” Hook told Rolling Stone, adding that principles matter more than the appearance of reuniting. Whilst Hook says he remains keen to attend the ceremony, his refusal to perform alongside his ex-bandmates promises to darken what should be a triumphant occasion 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 lead singer died by suicide, the other members later reformed under the New Order banner, with Hook functioning as the group’s bassist throughout their most profitable period. However, the partnership began to fracture when Hook exited in 2007, believing at the time that New Order had exhausted its potential. His departure, he thought, would mark the final conclusion of the outfit. Instead, his former bandmates possessed alternative ideas.
When Sumner, Morris and Gilbert reformed New Order in 2011 without consulting Hook, the bassist felt betrayed. The action set off a protracted and expensive legal conflict over the band’s name and royalties — a conflict that Hook claims consumed six years of his wages. Though the conflict was finally concluded in 2017, the financial and emotional toll has created lasting wounds. Hook has not communicated with Sumner or Gilbert in 15 years, and his communication with Morris has been restricted to sporadic communication over the last four to five years, offering scant opportunity for healing before November’s ceremony.
- Ian Curtis died by suicide in 1980, resulting in Joy Division’s dissolution
- Hook departed from New Order in 2007, believing the band had run its course
- Remaining members reunited without Hook in 2011, sparking court battles
- Settlement reached in 2017, but interpersonal bonds stay broken
The Introduction No One Anticipated to Restore
Despite his unwillingness to share the stage with his former bandmates, Hook has stated he will be present at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction in November. However, his presence will be a mixed experience, marked more by acknowledgement of the historical importance of Joy Division and New Order than by any sense of familial warmth. The bassist has been emphatic that his attendance is motivated by factors entirely separate from his estranged colleagues. “For numerous reasons … not one other member of the band is a reason,” he stated bluntly, underscoring just how fractured the group has become despite their significant impact on post-punk and electronic music.
The admission, 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 Terms for Reconciliation
When pressed on the prospect of reuniting, 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 legal battle that cost you six years’ wages. I’m really sorry about it. We should maybe have just had a conversation about it.” The bassist’s deadpan delivery when outlining this hypothetical encounter made clear that such an apology stays firmly in the domain of fantasy. Without real recognition of the damage caused and the monetary cost extracted, Hook seems reluctant to consider the prospect of reuniting.
Yet Hook hasn’t entirely closed the door on the possibility of eventual reconciliation, acknowledging that people is unpredictable and feelings can shift unexpectedly. “So you can’t say for certain, dear. Life is full of surprises. I’m sure that could be a lovely one,” he said with characteristic wryness. The bassist made a relatable parallel, proposing that even those we believe we could not pardon might surprise us with a act of sincere remorse. However, the responsibility, he made clear, rests squarely on his ex-bandmates to take the first meaningful step toward reconciliation—something that appears improbable before the November ceremony.
Contrasting Perspectives from Each Side
Whilst Peter Hook has been clear and unequivocal about his refusal to participate in any reunion event, his previous musical partners have presented a distinctly contrasting public posture. Bernard Sumner, Stephen Morris and Gillian Gilbert have predominantly refrained from comment on the subject, neither confirming nor denying their intentions for the November induction ceremony. This disparity in communication has left considerable ambiguity about how the event will take shape, with Hook’s uncompromising stand presenting a marked contrast with the relative quiet originating from the three other band members. The lack of a unified response from New Order indicates either a intentional approach of restraint or a deep-seated disagreement about how to handle the matter publicly.
The divergence in their statements to the media reflects the widening gulf that has emerged between the parties since their 2007 separation and ensuing legal disputes. Hook’s readiness to discuss openly about his complaints stands in marked contrast to what appears to be a tendency from his past associates to allow the situation to settle. Whether this quiet reflects an attempt to preserve dignity, avoid further conflict, or merely progress ahead without rehashing old grievances remains unclear. What is evident is that the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction will occur against a setting 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 specter of Oasis dominates discussions of potential rock reunions, yet Hook’s position diverges notably from Liam and Noel Gallagher’s recent rapprochement. Whilst the Gallagher brothers finally returned to a collaborative arrangement after almost thirty years of acrimony, Hook seems considerably reluctant toward such a resolution. The Oasis reunion demonstrated that even the most fractious band relationships could be mended, especially when monetary rewards and public sentiment aligned. However, Hook’s principled stand suggests that financial gain and nostalgia alone cannot bridge the rift created by what he regards as a fundamental betrayal during the 2011 reformation.
Hook’s conditional language—implying a reunion could happen only if Sumner provided a genuine expression of remorse—hints at a glimmer of possibility, though his sardonic tone suggests he harbours minimal real hope of such an gesture. 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 reunion. Unlike Oasis, where each side ultimately recognised their common heritage and reciprocal advantage, Hook seems determined to safeguard his principles above all else, even if it means forgoing a potentially triumphant moment at one of rock music’s most prestigious ceremonies.
- Hook stresses ethical principles ahead of financial gain in his decision not to reunite
- The 2017 court agreement resolved monetary issues but not emotional damage
- Genuine reconciliation would require remarkable admission from Sumner