Peter Hook has categorically ruled out reuniting with his former New Order and Joy Division bandmates at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony this November, citing years of acrimony and a drawn-out legal fight that he says resulted in substantial losses. The septuagenarian bass player, who established both iconic British bands, made his stance abundantly plain 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 values are important more than the appearance of reuniting. Whilst Hook says he is still eager to attend the ceremony, his unwillingness to play alongside his former colleagues promises to darken what should be a celebratory moment for two of Britain’s most impactful musical groups.
A Decade of Silence and Legal Turmoil
The origins of Hook’s animosity run deep, rooted in the aftermath of Ian Curtis’s passing in 1980. When the Joy Division frontman ended his life, the surviving band members eventually regrouped under the New Order name, with Hook functioning as the group’s bassist throughout their most lucrative years. However, the dynamic commenced breaking down when Hook departed in 2007, believing at the time that New Order was spent. His exit, he thought, would signal the final conclusion of the outfit. Instead, his ex-colleagues harboured different intentions.
When Sumner, Morris and Gilbert revived New Order in 2011 without informing Hook, the bassist experienced betrayal. The decision set off a lengthy and costly legal dispute over financial rights and band ownership — a battle that Hook claims cost him six years’ worth of his wages. Though the conflict was finally concluded in 2017, the psychological and monetary cost has resulted in enduring damage. Hook has not communicated with Sumner or Gilbert in 15 years, and his interactions with Morris has been confined to infrequent exchanges over the past four or five years, making reconciliation unlikely before November’s ceremony.
- Ian Curtis took his own life in 1980, leading to Joy Division’s breakup
- Hook departed from New Order in 2007, believing the band had finished
- Remaining members reunited without Hook in 2011, sparking court battles
- Settlement reached in 2017, but personal relationships stay broken
The Induction Nobody Anticipated to Mend
Despite his refusal to participate the stage with his ex-band members, Hook has stated he will be present at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction in November. However, his presence will be a bittersweet affair, marked primarily by recognition of Joy Division and New Order’s historical significance than by any sense of genuine connection. The bass player has been clear that his presence is driven by factors entirely separate from his estranged colleagues. “For numerous reasons … not one other member of the band is a reason,” he stated bluntly, highlighting precisely how divided the group has become despite their monumental influence on post-punk and electronic music.
The admission, whilst a deserved honour to two bands that profoundly transformed British music, has become something of an uncomfortable situation for all involved. What might ordinarily serve as an chance for contemplation and reconciliation has instead become a sobering testament of unresolved grievances and the limits of nostalgia. Hook’s refusal to perform 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 uplifting occasions and unexpected reunions, will instead bear witness to one of rock music’s most painful and enduring rifts.
Hook’s Conditions for Rapprochement
When asked about the prospect of reuniting, Hook offered a situation so full of sarcasm it was impossible to miss his true feelings. 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’ wages. I’m really sorry about it. We should maybe have just had a conversation about it.” The bassist’s flat tone when outlining this imagined meeting made clear that such an apology remains squarely within the realm of fantasy. Without genuine acknowledgement of the damage caused and the monetary cost imposed, Hook appears unwilling to consider the prospect of reuniting.
Yet Hook hasn’t completely closed the door on the possibility of eventual reconciliation, recognising that people 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 characteristic wryness. The bassist made a compelling parallel, proposing that even those we believe we could not pardon might surprise us with a act 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.
Contrasting Perspectives from Each Side
Whilst Peter Hook has been direct and explicit about his refusal to participate in any reunion event, his ex-band members have presented a markedly separate public stance. Bernard Sumner, Stephen Morris and Gillian Gilbert have largely remained silent on the matter, without confirming or denying their prospects for the induction ceremony in November. This imbalance in messaging has created substantial uncertainty about how the evening will take shape, with Hook’s defiant stance standing in stark contrast to the relative quiet emanating from the remaining three members. The missing coordinated statement from New Order indicates either a deliberate strategy of restraint or a fundamental disagreement about how to handle the circumstances publicly.
The distinction in their public communications reflects the widening gulf that has opened between the parties since their split in 2007 and subsequent legal entanglement. Hook’s readiness to discuss openly about his complaints stands in marked contrast to what appears to be a preference from his former colleagues to allow the situation to settle. Whether this quiet reflects an attempt to preserve dignity, prevent additional disputes, or simply move forward without revisiting previous disagreements is uncertain. What is clear is that the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction will occur against a backdrop of fundamentally incompatible narratives about what took place and what should happen 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 Case and Diminishing Prospects
The spectre of Oasis hangs over conversations about potential rock reunions, yet Hook’s situation differs markedly from Liam and Noel Gallagher’s latest reunion. Whilst the Gallagher brothers finally returned to a working relationship after almost thirty years of acrimony, Hook appears far less inclined toward such a settlement. The Oasis reunion proved that even the most contentious band relationships could be repaired, particularly when financial incentives and public opinion aligned. However, Hook’s principled stance indicates that money and nostalgia on their own cannot span the chasm created by what he views as a fundamental betrayal during the 2011 reformation.
Hook’s qualified remarks—implying a reunion could happen only if Sumner provided a heartfelt apology—points to a glimmer of possibility, though his sarcastic delivery indicates he holds little genuine expectation of such an overture. The bassist has spent years processing the emotional and financial fallout from the legal dispute, and that built-up resentment appears to have calcified into something more resistant to the type of financial incentives that might otherwise compel a reunion. Unlike Oasis, where both parties ultimately recognised their common heritage and reciprocal advantage, Hook seems determined to safeguard his principles above all else, even if it entails sacrificing a potentially triumphant moment at one of the most esteemed events in rock music.
- Hook emphasises morality over commercial opportunity in his refusal to reunite
- The 2017 legal settlement settled monetary issues but not emotional damage
- Genuine reconciliation would necessitate remarkable admission from Sumner