Today marks the thirtieth anniversary of Ian Curtis, the vocalist of Joy Divisions tragic death. Ian is one of my idols, and I know it sounds corny but i've been thinking about him a lot today. I've only ever lost one person that I care about, but I had time to come to terms with the fact it will happen because they were old, whereas it must have been really hard for Ians family and friends because it came as a shock to everyone. I suppose i've been thinking about Deborah Curtis a lot today too and how tragic it would be to find your husband. hanging.But what I really want to talk about is Peter Hook, Ians good friend and bassist of Joy Division. He's playing Unknown Pleasures in full tonight in Manchester to celebrate the anniversary. The night will showcase the album, unseen footage of Joy Division and New Order and the fans will be able to quiz Hooky.
To me, this is a 'tacky' and half hearted thing to do. Thirty years is an important anniversary and every stop should have been pulled out if Hooky really wanted to put on a show. It would have been more respectable if he got together a range of bands to play a selection of Joy Division songs and perhaps comment on Ians life. Like a full blown, one-night-only arena date. I'm sure a large majority of the musicians today look up to Ian and class him as a hero and would have been happy to do it. Ian Curtis contributed a great deal to music, even though he wasn't around for a long period of time he still had a impact on enough people and his life should be either celebrated in full with an amazing showcase or not have any show at all and keep it on the quiet.
I see what Hooky is doing as wanting to 'steal the limelight' a little and get some publicity before he brings out some new material or a biography or something. Ian deserves a lot more than a mate playing some songs from back in day. He deserves a huge show that people will remember, but his family deserve respect and to be left alone through this hard time. Perhaps Hooky has tried to find the middle of that to satisfy everyone, but it's not working for me. It's a half hearted effort from him and he just wants to look good by doing something.
Ian Curtis is no doubt a music legend; and Hooky, you're not foolin' nobody.
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