Why Peter Hook Still Has Strong Feelings About New Order

Former Joy Division and New Order bassist Peter Hook has left the door slightly ajar for a possible reconciliation with his former bandmates—but only if meaningful efforts are made ahead of their induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

In a recent interview with Rolling Stone, Hook struck a firm tone regarding the idea of reuniting onstage, while also acknowledging that, under the right circumstances, a thaw in relations may not be entirely out of reach.

A Firm Rejection—At First

Hook’s initial reaction to the prospect of sharing the stage with his former New Order bandmates was unequivocal.

“No. No. Not after what they did to me and my family, no.”

Pressed further on whether the logistics or potential awkwardness of the ceremony might influence his decision, Hook remained resolute:

“I couldn’t give a shit. I’m not bothered. You’ve got to have morals.”

Despite the tension, he framed the situation with a touch of dark humor, reflecting on a lifetime of unpredictable moments:

“We like tricky evenings, don’t we? Some of my best evenings have been tricky, right from going to see the Sex Pistols [in 1976] to this. [Laughs.] My god, whatever. It’s just one of them things, isn’t it?”

A Long-Standing Rift

Hook departed New Order in 2007 following the breakdown of his relationship with co-founder Bernard Sumner. The band later regrouped in 2011 without him and has continued to tour, while Hook has performed material from both Joy Division and New Order with his own group, Peter Hook and the Light.

At the center of the dispute is the continued use of the New Order name—an issue Hook still views as unjust.

“No. None. No, sadly. It’s very sad, but that’s what happened. They did it. They decided to take the New Order name. I felt it was wrong, and I still think it’s wrong.”

Communication between Hook and his former bandmates has been virtually nonexistent for years. He noted that he has not spoken directly with Sumner in around 15 years, describing past interactions as one-sided:

“I haven’t spoken to Bernard for … I didn’t even speak to him. He spoke at me.”

He added that his last exchanges with drummer Stephen Morris and keyboardist Gillian Gilbert were similarly distant:

“Steve and I spoke about four or five years ago, but that wasn’t a friendly moment. And I haven’t spoken to Gillian in 15 years. So, it doesn’t look good, mate.”

Hook emphasized that any reunion would require genuine reconciliation—not a symbolic gesture for one night.

“They’d have to reach out and try and form some kind of relationship. You can’t just go ‘truce for the night’ after what we’ve been through.”

This year’s Rock Hall class also includes Oasis, whose famously feuding members—Liam Gallagher and Noel Gallagher—recently reconciled. Hook suggested, half-jokingly, that they might offer a blueprint for mending fractured relationships.

“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,’”

He said, imagining a hypothetical apology.

“So you never know, dear. Life is full of surprises. I’m sure that could be a lovely one. Let’s face it, you couldn’t have better mentors than Liam and Noel.”

Hook even floated the idea of the Gallagher brothers acting as intermediaries:

“Maybe Liam and Noel could be the intermediaries that you’re looking for. They might be like, ‘OK, you two. Let’s shake hands and get up there and play “Transmission,” “Love Will Tear Us Apart,” and “Blue Monday.”‘”

While uncertainty still surrounds how the members of New Order will approach the November 14 ceremony, Hook remains cautiously open to the unexpected:

“Well, who knows? We have our feelings, don’t we? You know my feelings. They might want to bring a nice, big bag of cream cakes around. We’ll all sit and have a good cup of tea. Who knows what could happen?”

For now, the prospect of a reunion appears remote—tempered by years of silence, unresolved disputes, and deep personal grievances. Yet Hook’s remarks suggest that, beneath the hardened stance, there is at least a sliver of willingness to revisit the past under the right conditions. In the context of a Rock Hall induction—an event designed to celebrate legacy as much as achievement—the possibility of reconciliation carries symbolic weight.

Whether that translates into a shared stage remains uncertain. But as recent history has shown, even the most entrenched rivalries in British music can shift with time, perspective, and the right catalyst. If nothing else, Hook’s comments leave open the notion that closure—be it public, private, or somewhere in between—may still be part of the story.