Peter Hook has definitively dismissed reuniting with his ex-bandmates from New Order and Joy Division at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony this November, citing years of acrimony 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 position crystal clear when asked if he would take the stage with Bernard Sumner, Stephen Morris and Gillian Gilbert for the recognition. “No. No. Not after what they did to me and my family, no,” Hook told Rolling Stone, adding that principles matter more than the optics of a reunion. Whilst Hook says he is still eager to attend the ceremony, his decision not to perform alongside his ex-bandmates promises to diminish what should be a celebratory moment for two of Britain’s most influential musical acts.
A Decade of Silence and Legal Turmoil
The origins of Hook’s animosity stretch far, extending to the period following of Ian Curtis’s death in 1980. When the Joy Division lead singer took his own life, the remaining members subsequently reunited under the New Order name, with Hook acting as the group’s bass player throughout their most commercially successful period. However, the dynamic started to deteriorate when Hook exited in 2007, believing at the time that New Order had run its course. His exit, he felt, would constitute the ultimate termination of the outfit. Instead, his former bandmates had other plans.
When Sumner, Morris and Gilbert reconstituted New Order in 2011 without seeking input from Hook, the bassist felt let down. The move triggered a lengthy and costly court battle over royalties and the band’s name — a battle that Hook maintains consumed six years of his wages. Though the conflict was finally concluded in 2017, the psychological and monetary cost has created lasting wounds. Hook has not communicated with Sumner or Gilbert in 15 years, and his communication with Morris has been confined to infrequent exchanges over the past four or five years, making reconciliation unlikely before November’s ceremony.
- Ian Curtis died by suicide in 1980, resulting in Joy Division’s breakup
- Hook departed from New Order in 2007, convinced the band had finished
- Remaining members reformed without Hook in 2011, triggering court battles
- Settlement reached in 2017, but interpersonal bonds stay broken
The Induction No One Anticipated to Restore
Despite his refusal to participate the stage with his former bandmates, Hook has confirmed he will attend the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction in November. However, his presence will be a mixed experience, marked primarily by recognition of Joy Division and New Order’s historical significance than by any sense of genuine connection. The bassist has been emphatic that his attendance is motivated by reasons completely distinct from his estranged colleagues. “For many, many reasons … not one other member of the band is a reason,” he stated bluntly, underscoring just how fractured the group has become despite their monumental influence on post-punk and electronic genres.
The induction, 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 opportunity for reflection 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 feel-good moments and unexpected reunions, will instead bear witness to one of rock music’s most painful and enduring rifts.
Hook’s Terms for Rapprochement
When asked about the prospect of reuniting, Hook presented a scenario so full of sarcasm it was clear his genuine sentiment. 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 of earnings. I’m really sorry about it. We should maybe have just had a chat about it.” The bassist’s flat tone when outlining this hypothetical encounter made clear that such an apology stays firmly in the realm of fantasy. Without genuine acknowledgement of the harm done and the financial toll imposed, Hook seems reluctant to consider the prospect of reuniting.
Yet Hook hasn’t completely closed the door on the prospect of future peace, recognising that human nature is unpredictable and emotions can change 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 made a relatable parallel, proposing that even those we believe we could never forgive might surprise us with a gesture of genuine contrition. However, the responsibility, he made clear, rests squarely on his ex-bandmates to take the initial decisive action toward rapprochement—something that appears improbable before the November ceremony.
Opposing Views from Either Party
Whilst Peter Hook has been forthright and unambiguous about his refusal to participate in any reunion, his previous musical partners have maintained a distinctly contrasting public position. Bernard Sumner, Stephen Morris and Gillian Gilbert have mostly stayed quiet on the matter, without confirming or denying their intentions for the November induction ceremony. This asymmetry in communication has left considerable ambiguity about how the event will unfold, with Hook’s defiant stance presenting a marked contrast with the subdued tone coming from the remaining 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 circumstances publicly.
The split in their public messaging demonstrates the widening gulf that has opened between the parties since their 2007 separation and ensuing legal disputes. Hook’s readiness to discuss openly about his grievances stands in sharp opposition to what appears to be a tendency from his past associates to move past the issue. Whether this quiet reflects an bid to protect reputation, prevent additional disputes, or just proceed without rehashing old grievances is uncertain. What is evident is that the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame admission will take place against a context of essentially conflicting stories 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 Precedent and Fading Hope
The spectre of Oasis looms large over conversations about potential rock reunions, yet Hook’s situation differs markedly from Liam and Noel Gallagher’s recent reconciliation. Whilst the Gallagher brothers eventually found their way back to a working relationship after almost thirty years of hostility, Hook seems considerably reluctant toward such a resolution. The Oasis reunion proved that even the most strained band relationships could be repaired, particularly when economic incentives and public opinion converged. However, Hook’s ethical position suggests that monetary considerations and nostalgia by themselves cannot bridge the rift created by what he regards as a fundamental betrayal at the time of the 2011 reformation.
Hook’s qualified remarks—implying reconciliation might occur solely should Sumner provided a heartfelt apology—points to a faint chance, though his sardonic tone suggests he harbours minimal real hope of such an gesture. The bass player has spent years working through the emotional and financial fallout from the legal dispute, and that built-up resentment seems to have hardened into something less susceptible to the sort of commercial pressures that could otherwise force a reunion. Unlike Oasis, where each side eventually acknowledged their common heritage and reciprocal advantage, Hook seems determined to protect his integrity more than anything, even if it means forgoing a possibly glorious occasion at one of rock music’s most prestigious ceremonies.
- Hook stresses ethical principles ahead of financial gain in his refusal to reunite
- The 2017 financial settlement addressed monetary issues but not emotional damage
- True reconciliation would require remarkable admission from Sumner