Peter Hook Opens Up About Recognition From Rock Hall

The long-overdue recognition of Joy Division and New Order has finally arrived, with the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame confirming that both acts will be inducted together. In response, co-founder Peter Hook shared a heartfelt reaction, reflecting on the honor and the legacy behind it.

A Long-Awaited Induction

Speaking directly to fans via social media, Hook expressed both gratitude and relief at the announcement. After years of anticipation, the bassist made clear that the recognition carried deep personal meaning.

“I’d just like to say how wonderfully pleased I am to be finally accepted into the Cleveland Rock and Roll Hall of Fame,” he said. “I’ve been looking forward to it for years, so I definitely am going to make the most of it.”

His remarks underscored not only the importance of the accolade, but also the sense of closure that comes with it—particularly for a career defined by both innovation and internal tension.

Honoring Ian Curtis and the Fans

Hook was quick to shift the spotlight away from himself, instead dedicating the moment to those who helped shape the band’s enduring legacy—most notably Ian Curtis.

“I’d like to say that this is for Ian Curtis and for all our fans of both bands,” he continued. “Without you, we would be nothing. So, thank you so much. I will see you on [induction] night.”

Curtis’ influence remains central to Joy Division’s mythology, and Hook’s tribute serves as a reminder of the emotional weight behind the band’s brief but groundbreaking run. The acknowledgment of fans, meanwhile, reinforces the lasting cultural impact both groups have maintained across generations.

One Legacy, Two Bands

The decision to induct Joy Division and New Order together reflects the uniquely intertwined history of the two groups. Formed in 1976 by Hook and Bernard Sumner, Joy Division quickly emerged as a defining force in post-punk, with their debut Unknown Pleasures becoming a landmark release. Their follow-up, Closer, arrived in 1980, shortly after Curtis’ death.

Rather than continue under the same name, the remaining members chose reinvention, forming New Order and pushing their sound into more melodic, electronic territory. The move proved transformative, allowing them to achieve global success while still carrying the DNA of their earlier work.

For Hall of Fame voters, the question was whether to separate the two bands or recognize them as a continuous artistic evolution. The final decision to induct them jointly acknowledges that Joy Division and New Order are, in many ways, chapters of the same story.

Hook’s own relationship with New Order has been more complicated. After participating in the band’s original run and later reunion, he departed in 2007 following disputes over finances and internal dynamics. The group has continued without him since 2011. If Hook does appear alongside his former bandmates at the induction ceremony, it would mark their first performance together in two decades—an outcome that would add yet another poignant layer to an already historic moment.