Where It Went: Ian Curtis: July 15, 1956

Today is the 29Th anniversary of Ian Curtis death, and this post to dedicated to his memory the most influential singer/songwriter of the band Joy Division. I'm really tired and not in a writing mood at the moment, so sorry if it looks like shit.

Bio:
Curtis joined Joy Division after meeting up with Bernard Sumner and Peter Hook at a Sex Pistols gig in 1976. After ditching the name "Warsaw" and picking up the name "Joy Division" (named after the brothel from the book "House Of Dolls"), the band skyrocketed when the band released "Unknown Pleasures" in June 15, 1979. In January 1979 Ian was diagnosed with epilepsy after having a seizure on the road while coming back from a gig in London. after being diagnosed, Curtis had to take normal medication, but it would make him worse, especially at shows where Curtis will get into the performance by dancing like if he was having a seizure which later he would having one during the set. Curtis was dealing with a lot of stress and depression (most of it came from his mood swings and his affair with journalist Annik Honoré.), he started writing what he was feeling during the "Closer" sessions. Before the release of JD's second release "Closer", Joy Division would play there last show was on 2 May 1980 at Birmingham University, a show that included Joy Division's first and only performance of the song "Ceremony", later recorded by New Order and released as their first single. The last song Curtis performed on stage was "Digital".

The recording of this performance can be found on the compilation album Still. On 17 May 1980, Curtis (who was dealing with his marriage) was going to visit his Wife, Debbie Curtis, after an argument about keeping the marriage going, Debbie left the house. In the early hours of 18 May 1980, Curtis hanged himself in the kitchen of his house in Macclesfield. He had just viewed Werner Herzog's film Stroszek and listened to Iggy Pop's The Idiot. At the time of his death, his health was failing as a result of the epilepsy and attempting to balance his musical ambitions with his marriage, which was foundering in the aftermath of his affair with journalist Annik Honoré. His wife found his body the next morning. After the death of Ian Curtis, "Closer" released on July 18, 1980. Members of Joy Division continued on playing music and so New Order was born and still going strong.

Discography:

Unknown Pleasures (June 15,1979)

1. "Disorder" – 3:32
2. "Day of the Lords" – 4:49
3. "Candidate" – 3:05
4. "Insight" – 4:29
5. "New Dawn Fades" – 4:47
6. "She's Lost Control" – 3:57
7. "Shadowplay" – 3:55
8. "Wilderness" – 2:38
9. "Interzone" – 2:16
10. "I Remember Nothing" – 5:53

Closer (July 18, 1980)

1. "Atrocity Exhibition" – 6:06
2. "Isolation" – 2:53
3. "Passover" – 4:46
4. "Colony" – 3:55
5. "A Means to an End" – 4:07
6. "Heart and Soul" – 5:51
7. "Twenty Four Hours" – 4:26
8. "The Eternal" – 6:07
9. "Decades" – 6:10

i would post music, but i think it's best that you buy Joy Division's music. Plus, Mediafire is being stupid at the moment, so I'll post some videos for your listening and viewing enjoyment.

Shadowplay: