About
Ian Kevin Curtis was born on 15 July 1956 in Stretford, Lancashire, and died on 18 May 1980 in Macclesfield. He was the lead vocalist and lyricist of the post-punk band Joy Division, formed in Manchester in 1976. The band released two studio albums: Unknown Pleasures (1979) and Closer (released posthumously in July 1980). Curtis suffered from epilepsy, diagnosed in January 1979, and his seizures increasingly affected his stage performances. He died by suicide on the eve of Joy Division's first North American tour. The surviving members formed New Order. The posthumous single 'Love Will Tear Us Apart' (June 1980) became the band's highest-charting UK single.
* 1956-07-15 — † 1980-05-18
Major works
- Unknown Pleasures (1979)album
- Closer (1980)album
- Love Will Tear Us Apart (1980)single
Key milestones
- 1976Formation of Joy Division in Manchester.
- 1979Diagnosed with epilepsy.
- 1980Died by suicide on 18 May.
Themes
Post-punkIllness and sufferingDeath and legacyMusic and creativity
Sources: id.loc.gov · npg.org.uk · collection.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk