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Ian Curtis
(1956-1980)
Died aged 23
Wikidata WikipediaIan Kevin Curtis (15 July 1956 – 18 May 1980) was an English musician, singer, and songwriter. He was best known as the lead singer, guitarist, and lyricist of the post-punk band Joy Division, with whom he released the albums Unknown Pleasures (1979) and Closer (1980). He was noted for his bass-baritone voice, unique dancing style, and songwriting that was typically filled with imagery of loneliness, emptiness, and alienation. Curtis had epilepsy and depression and died by suicide on the eve of Joy Division's first North American tour, shortly before the release of Closer. Shortly after his death, the three surviving members of the band renamed themselves New Order. Despite their short career, Joy Division have exerted a wide-reaching influence. John Bush of AllMusic argues that they "became the first band in the post-punk movement [by] emphasizing not anger and energy but mood and expression, pointing ahead to the rise of melancholy alternative music in the '80s". According to critic Simon Reynolds, Joy Division's influence has extended from contemporaries such as U2 and The Cure to later acts including Interpol, Bloc Party, and Editors, as well as rappers including Danny Brown and Vince Staples.
DbPedia
lead singer of Joy Division 1976-80
Commemorated on 1 plaque
Kenion St Music Building Cargo Studios first floor 1977 to 1984 Tractor Music ground floor 1977 to 1983 Suite 16 Studios both floors 1984 to 2001 From 1977 onwards this building saw an endless stream of bands from Manchester, Liverpool and from all over the British Isles, pass through its doorways as it became the place for groups to record, and to buy and hire their equipment. Joy Division recorded here from 1978 onwards and had their bass equipment custom built on the ground floor
Kenion Street, Rochdale, United Kingdom where they recorded (1978)