Peter Hook has definitively dismissed reuniting with his ex-bandmates from New Order and Joy Division at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony this November, citing prolonged discord and a drawn-out legal fight that he says resulted in substantial losses. The septuagenarian bass player, who established both iconic British bands, made his views unmistakably evident when asked if he would share the stage with Bernard Sumner, Stephen Morris and Gillian Gilbert for the honour. “No. No. Not after what they did to me and my family, no,” Hook told Rolling Stone, adding that values are important more than the appearance of reuniting. Whilst Hook says he is still eager to attend the ceremony, his decision not to perform alongside his former colleagues 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 origins of Hook’s resentment stretch far, stretching back to the wake of Ian Curtis’s death in 1980. When the Joy Division vocalist ended his life, the surviving band members later reformed under the New Order banner, with Hook functioning as the group’s bassist throughout their most commercially successful period. However, the dynamic began to fracture when Hook left in 2007, believing at the time that New Order had exhausted its potential. His leaving, he believed, would constitute the final conclusion of the outfit. Instead, his ex-colleagues possessed alternative ideas.
When Sumner, Morris and Gilbert reformed New Order in 2011 without seeking input from Hook, the bassist felt let down. The action set off a lengthy and costly court battle over royalties and the band’s name — a battle that Hook maintains took up six years of his wages. Though the disagreement was finally concluded in 2017, the financial and emotional toll has resulted in enduring damage. Hook hasn’t spoken to 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 took his own life in 1980, resulting in Joy Division’s breakup
- Hook left New Order in 2007, convinced the band had finished
- The surviving members reunited without Hook in 2011, sparking court battles
- Settlement reached in 2017, but interpersonal bonds stay broken
The Initiation Nobody Anticipated to Mend
Despite his refusal to participate the stage with his ex-band members, Hook has confirmed he will attend the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction in November. However, his attendance will prove 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 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 said plainly, highlighting precisely how divided the group has become despite their monumental influence on post-punk and electronic music.
The admission, whilst a fitting tribute to two bands that fundamentally reshaped 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 refusal to perform has already cast a shadow over the proceedings, transforming what should be a triumphant celebration 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 anguished and persistent rifts.
Hook’s Terms for Resolution
When pressed on the prospect of reuniting, Hook presented 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 cost you six years of earnings. I’m really sorry about it. We should maybe have just had a conversation about it.” The bassist’s deadpan delivery when describing this hypothetical encounter made evident that such an apology stays squarely within the domain of fantasy. Without real recognition of the harm done and the monetary cost extracted, Hook appears reluctant to entertain thoughts of reconciliation.
Yet Hook hasn’t completely closed the door on the possibility of eventual reconciliation, acknowledging that human nature is unpredictable and feelings can change unexpectedly. “So you never know, dear. Life is full of surprises. I’m sure that could be a lovely one,” he said with typical wryness. The bassist drew a relatable parallel, suggesting that even those we believe we could not pardon might surprise us with a gesture of sincere remorse. However, the responsibility, he made clear, rests firmly on his former colleagues to take the initial decisive action toward rapprochement—something that seems unlikely before the November ceremony.
Opposing Views from Both Sides
Whilst Peter Hook has been clear and unequivocal about his refusal to participate in any reunion event, his ex-band members have presented a markedly separate public position. Bernard Sumner, Stephen Morris and Gillian Gilbert have mostly stayed quiet on the issue, neither confirming nor denying their prospects for the November induction ceremony. This disparity in communication has created substantial uncertainty about how the event will take shape, with Hook’s uncompromising stand contrasting sharply against the subdued tone originating from the remaining three members. The missing coordinated statement from New Order indicates either a intentional approach of restraint or a deep-seated disagreement about how to address the matter publicly.
The divergence in their public communications demonstrates the significant divide that has developed between the parties since their 2007 split and ensuing legal disputes. Hook’s preparedness to talk frankly about his concerns stands in stark contrast to what appears to be a tendency from his past associates to let the matter rest. Whether this quietness indicates an bid to protect reputation, sidestep more confrontation, or simply move forward without dwelling on past disputes stays uncertain. What is evident is that the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame entry will happen against a setting of fundamentally incompatible narratives 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 Case and Diminishing Prospects
The spectre of Oasis hangs over talk surrounding potential rock reunions, yet Hook’s situation differs markedly from Liam and Noel Gallagher’s recent rapprochement. Whilst the Gallagher brothers eventually found their way back to a working relationship after almost thirty years of bitterness, Hook looks far less willing toward such an outcome. The Oasis comeback showed that even the most strained band relationships could be mended, particularly when economic incentives and audience sentiment coincided. However, Hook’s ethical position implies that monetary considerations and nostalgia alone cannot bridge the chasm created by what he views as a fundamental betrayal during the 2011 reformation.
Hook’s qualified remarks—implying a reunion could happen only if Sumner offered a genuine expression of remorse—hints at a glimmer of possibility, though his sardonic tone indicates he holds little genuine expectation of such an gesture. The bassist has devoted considerable time working through the emotional and financial fallout from the court battle, and that built-up resentment appears to have calcified into something more resistant to the type of financial incentives that might otherwise compel a reunion. Unlike Oasis, where each side ultimately recognised their shared legacy and mutual benefit, Hook seems determined to protect his integrity more than anything, even if it means forgoing a potentially triumphant moment at one of the most esteemed events in rock music.
- Hook highlights ethical principles ahead of financial gain in his decision not to reunite
- The 2017 financial settlement addressed monetary issues but not emotional wounds
- True reconciliation would necessitate remarkable admission from Sumner