The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is about to induct two of Britain’s most influential acts — but don’t expect a feel-good reunion when the lights go up.
As Joy Division and New Order get set to be honored together, Peter Hook — founding bassist for both groups — is making it clear he won’t be anywhere near his former bandmates on stage.
“No. No. Not after what they did to me and my family, no,” Hook, 70, told Rolling Stone when asked if he’d appear alongside Bernard Sumner, Stephen Morris and Gillian Gilbert.
“I won’t stand with them. No. I couldn’t give a s–t [how it would work]. I’m not bothered. You’ve got to have morals.”
The tension between Hook and his bandmates goes back years.
After Joy Division frontman Ian Curtis died by suicide in 1980, the remaining members regrouped as New Order.
However, Hook exited the band in 2007, believing at the time that the group was finished.
Instead, the others reformed in 2011 without Hook, triggering a lengthy legal dispute over royalties and the use of the band’s name.
Hook, who hasn’t spoken to some of his former bandmates in over a decade, says the November induction is still something he’s looking forward to — just not because of them.
“For many, many reasons … not one other member of the band is a reason,” he said.
Hook didn’t hold back on how the fallout still shapes his stance today.
“If Bernard pops his head around and goes, ‘Hey Hooky, sorry about that eight-year legal battle that cost you six years’ wages. I’m really sorry about it. We should maybe have just had a chat about it.’
“So you never know, dear. Life is full of surprises. I’m sure that could be a lovely one,” he said, with more than a hint of sarcasm.
The legal fight was ultimately settled in 2017, but whatever peace was reached on paper hasn’t translated into a real reconciliation.
Hook says he hasn’t spoken to Sumner in 15 years, Gilbert in 15 years and Morris in 4 or 5 years.
“It doesn’t look good, mate,” Hook said about the chances of performing together.
“I’m sure there’s someone you can’t stand, and you don’t see him or her or whoever. You think you’d kill her if you came across her.
“And chances are if she came up and gave you a hug, you’d go, ‘Ohhh.’ So how the hell do I know?”
Hook also dismissed the idea of a one-night-only truce for the Hall of Fame ceremony.
“You can’t just go ‘truce for the night’ after what we’ve been through,” he said.
“If you knew what we’ve been through, you wouldn’t even suggest it … There’s a lot of bad blood under that very big bridge.”
Still, Hook left the door barely cracked open, joking that famously feuding brothers and fellow inductees Liam Gallagher and Noel Gallagher— who recently reunited for an Oasis comeback tour — could step in as “mentors” or “intermediaries.”
New Order struck a far more diplomatic tone after the induction announcement, thanking fans and reflecting on their decades-long career.
“From our beginnings as Joy Division to the evolving journey of New Order, this accolade reflects the resilience across nearly five decades that has defined our path alongside our fans, our collaborators and those sadly no longer with us,” the band said in a statement.
“Not bad for a couple of bands that were never entirely sure what they were doing…”
