Peter Hook has definitively dismissed reuniting with his former New Order and Joy Division bandmates at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony this November, citing sustained conflict and a drawn-out legal fight that he says cost him dearly. The 70-year-old bassist, who founded both legendary British acts, made his position crystal clear when asked if he would perform together with Bernard Sumner, Stephen Morris and Gillian Gilbert for the honour. “No. No. Not following what they did to me and my family, no,” Hook told Rolling Stone, adding that values are important more than the look of getting back together. Whilst Hook says he remains keen to attend the ceremony, his refusal to perform alongside his former colleagues promises to cast a shadow over what should be a celebratory moment for two of Britain’s most impactful musical groups.
Ten Years of Silence and Legal Turmoil
The roots of Hook’s animosity run deep, stretching back to the period following of Ian Curtis’s passing in 1980. When the Joy Division lead singer died by suicide, the other members subsequently reunited under the New Order moniker, with Hook functioning as the band’s bassist throughout their most profitable period. However, the partnership commenced breaking down when Hook departed in 2007, thinking then that New Order was spent. His departure, he believed, would mark the ultimate termination of the band. Instead, his former bandmates possessed alternative ideas.
When Sumner, Morris and Gilbert reformed New Order in 2011 without seeking input from Hook, the bassist felt betrayed. The move triggered a protracted and expensive court battle over the band’s name and royalties — a battle that Hook maintains consumed the equivalent of six years of his wages. Though the dispute was finally concluded in 2017, the financial and emotional toll has created lasting wounds. Hook hasn’t spoken to Sumner or Gilbert in 15 years, and his communication with Morris has been limited to occasional contact over the preceding four or five years, leaving little room for reconciliation before November’s ceremony.
- Ian Curtis died by suicide in 1980, leading to Joy Division’s dissolution
- Hook left New Order in 2007, convinced the band had run its course
- Remaining members reunited without Hook in 2011, sparking legal disputes
- Settlement reached in 2017, but interpersonal bonds stay broken
The Introduction No One Anticipated to Heal
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 presence will be a bittersweet affair, marked primarily by recognition of Joy Division and New Order’s historical significance than by any sense of familial warmth. The bass player has been clear 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 induction, whilst a fitting tribute to two bands that fundamentally reshaped British music, has become something of an awkward affair for all involved. What might ordinarily serve as an opportunity for reflection 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 uplifting occasions and unexpected reunions, will instead bear witness to one of rock music’s most painful and enduring rifts.
Hook’s Terms for Rapprochement
When pressed on the prospect of reconciliation, Hook presented a situation so laden with sarcasm it was clear his true feelings. He envisioned Bernard Sumner approaching him with an apology: “Hey Hooky, sorry about that eight-year court case that cost you six years of earnings. 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 stays squarely within the domain of fantasy. Without genuine acknowledgement of the damage caused and the financial toll imposed, Hook appears unwilling to consider the prospect of reuniting.
Yet Hook hasn’t entirely closed the door on the prospect of eventual reconciliation, acknowledging that people is unpredictable and emotions can shift unexpectedly. “So you never know, dear. Life is full of surprises. I’m sure that could be a wonderful one,” he said with typical wryness. The bassist drew a compelling parallel, suggesting that even those we believe we could not pardon might surprise us with a act of sincere remorse. However, the onus, he made clear, rests firmly on his former colleagues to take the first meaningful step toward reconciliation—something that seems unlikely before the autumn ceremony.
Contrasting Perspectives from Both Sides
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 position. Bernard Sumner, Stephen Morris and Gillian Gilbert have predominantly refrained from comment on the matter, avoiding confirmation or denial of their prospects for the November induction ceremony. This imbalance in messaging has resulted in significant ambiguity about how the evening will unfold, with Hook’s defiant stance standing in stark contrast to the subdued tone emanating from the other three members. The missing coordinated statement from New Order points to either a calculated strategy of restraint or a deep-seated disagreement about how to handle the matter publicly.
The split in their statements to the media reflects the widening gulf that has developed between the parties since their split in 2007 and following legal complications. Hook’s preparedness to talk frankly about his grievances stands in sharp opposition to what appears to be a tendency from his past associates to allow the situation to settle. Whether this silence represents an attempt to preserve dignity, prevent additional disputes, or merely progress ahead without dwelling on past disputes remains unclear. What is evident is that the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction will occur against a context of irreconcilably different accounts about what occurred and what ought to follow.
| 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 Fading Hope
The specter of Oasis looms large over conversations about prospective rock comebacks, yet Hook’s circumstances differ significantly from Liam and Noel Gallagher’s latest reunion. Whilst the Gallagher brothers finally returned to a functional partnership after almost thirty years of bitterness, Hook seems considerably reluctant toward such a settlement. The Oasis comeback showed that even the most strained band relationships were capable of healing, particularly when economic incentives and public opinion aligned. However, Hook’s ethical position indicates that financial gain and nostalgia by themselves cannot bridge the chasm created by what he considers to be a essential betrayal in the 2011 reformation.
Hook’s qualified remarks—suggesting a reunion could happen only if Sumner provided a genuine expression of remorse—hints at a faint chance, though his sardonic tone indicates he holds little genuine expectation of such an overture. The bass player has spent years processing 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 could otherwise force a reconciliation. Unlike Oasis, where both parties ultimately recognised their common heritage and reciprocal advantage, Hook appears resolved to safeguard his principles above all else, even if it means forgoing a possibly glorious occasion at one of the most esteemed events in rock music.
- Hook highlights morality over commercial opportunity in his decision not to reunite
- The 2017 legal settlement addressed monetary issues but not emotional wounds
- Genuine reconciliation would require remarkable admission from Sumner