Peter Hook has categorically ruled out reuniting with his former New Order and Joy Division bandmates at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony this November, citing prolonged discord and a protracted legal battle that he says resulted in substantial losses. The 70-year-old bassist, who established both iconic British bands, made his views unmistakably evident 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 optics of a reunion. Whilst Hook says he continues to want to attend the ceremony, his decision not to perform alongside his ex-bandmates promises to cast a shadow over what should be a triumphant occasion for two of Britain’s most impactful musical groups.
Ten Years of Silence and Legal Turmoil
The roots of Hook’s antagonism stretch far, stretching back to the period following of Ian Curtis’s passing in 1980. When the Joy Division vocalist took his own life, the surviving band members later reformed under the New Order banner, with Hook acting as the group’s bassist throughout their most commercially successful era. However, the partnership began to fracture when Hook left in 2007, convinced that New Order had exhausted its potential. His leaving, he felt, would constitute the final conclusion of the group. Instead, his onetime partners had other plans.
When Sumner, Morris and Gilbert reformed New Order in 2011 without consulting Hook, the bassist felt betrayed. The move set off a protracted and expensive court battle over the band’s name and royalties — a battle that Hook maintains took up six years of his wages. Though the disagreement was eventually settled in 2017, the emotional and financial impact has resulted in enduring damage. Hook hasn’t spoken to Sumner or Gilbert in 15 years, and his contact with Morris has been restricted to sporadic communication over the preceding four or five years, leaving little room for reconciliation before November’s ceremony.
- Ian Curtis died by suicide in 1980, resulting in Joy Division’s dissolution
- Hook left New Order in 2007, convinced the band had finished
- Remaining members reformed without Hook in 2011, sparking court battles
- Settlement reached in 2017, but interpersonal bonds remain fractured
The Introduction Nobody Anticipated to Heal
Despite his unwillingness to share the stage with his ex-band members, Hook has stated he will be present at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction in November. However, his attendance will prove a mixed experience, marked more by acknowledgement of Joy Division and New Order’s historical significance than by any sense of genuine connection. The bass player has been clear that his presence is driven by reasons completely distinct from his estranged colleagues. “For numerous reasons … not one other member of the band is a reason,” he said plainly, underscoring just how fractured the group has become despite their monumental influence on post-punk and electronic genres.
The induction, whilst a deserved honour to two bands that profoundly transformed British music, has become something of an uncomfortable situation for all involved. What might ordinarily serve as an chance for contemplation and reconciliation has instead become a stark reminder 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 anguished and persistent rifts.
Hook’s Terms for Rapprochement
When pressed on the prospect of reconciliation, Hook offered a situation so full of sarcasm it was clear his true feelings. He envisioned Bernard Sumner coming to him with an apology: “Hey Hooky, sorry about that eight-year legal battle that set you back six years’ wages. I’m really sorry about it. We should maybe have just had a chat about it.” The bassist’s flat tone when describing this hypothetical encounter made evident that such an apology remains firmly in the domain of fantasy. Without real recognition of the damage caused and the financial toll extracted, Hook appears reluctant to entertain thoughts of reuniting.
Yet Hook hasn’t completely closed the door on the prospect of future peace, recognising that human nature is unpredictable and feelings can shift unexpectedly. “So you never know, dear. Life is brimming with surprises. I’m sure that could be a lovely one,” he said with typical wryness. The bassist drew a compelling parallel, proposing that even those we believe we could never forgive might surprise us with a act of sincere remorse. However, the responsibility, he made clear, rests firmly on his ex-bandmates to take the first meaningful step toward rapprochement—something that appears improbable before the November ceremony.
Contrasting Perspectives from Each Side
Whilst Peter Hook has been direct and explicit about his refusal to participate in any reunion event, his former bandmates have maintained a notably different public stance. Bernard Sumner, Stephen Morris and Gillian Gilbert have mostly stayed quiet on the subject, neither confirming nor denying their prospects for the November induction event. This asymmetry in communication has resulted in significant ambiguity about how the occasion will unfold, with Hook’s defiant stance standing in stark contrast to the comparative silence coming from the other three members. The absence of a coordinated response from New Order points to either a calculated strategy of restraint or a deep-seated disagreement about how to address the situation publicly.
The distinction in their public messaging demonstrates the significant divide that has developed between the parties since their 2007 split and following legal complications. Hook’s readiness to discuss openly about his grievances stands in marked contrast to what appears to be a preference from his former colleagues to let the matter rest. Whether this quiet reflects an attempt to preserve dignity, avoid further conflict, or just proceed without rehashing old grievances stays uncertain. What is clear is that the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame admission will take place against a backdrop of irreconcilably different accounts about what happened and what should happen 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 Fading Hope
The shadow of Oasis hangs over discussions of possible rock reunions, yet Hook’s circumstances differ significantly from Liam and Noel Gallagher’s recent rapprochement. Whilst the Gallagher brothers ultimately reconciled to a working relationship after almost thirty years of bitterness, Hook seems considerably reluctant toward such a resolution. The Oasis comeback showed that even the most contentious band relationships could be repaired, especially when monetary rewards and public opinion coincided. However, Hook’s ethical position implies that financial gain and nostalgia by themselves cannot bridge the rift created by what he considers to be a core betrayal in the 2011 reformation.
Hook’s conditional language—implying a reunion could happen solely should Sumner offered a heartfelt apology—hints at a glimmer of possibility, though his sardonic tone indicates he holds little genuine expectation of such an gesture. The bass player has devoted considerable time processing the emotional and financial fallout from the legal dispute, and that built-up resentment appears to have calcified into something more resistant to the type of financial incentives that could otherwise force a reunion. Unlike Oasis, where both parties ultimately recognised their shared legacy and reciprocal advantage, Hook appears resolved to safeguard his principles more than anything, even if it entails sacrificing a potentially triumphant moment at one of rock music’s most prestigious ceremonies.
- Hook stresses morality over commercial opportunity in his decision not to reunite
- The 2017 legal settlement addressed monetary issues but not emotional wounds
- True reconciliation would necessitate unprecedented acknowledgement from Sumner