Peter Hook has categorically ruled out reuniting with his ex-bandmates from New Order and Joy Division at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony this November, citing years of acrimony and a protracted legal battle 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 share the stage with Bernard Sumner, Stephen Morris and Gillian Gilbert for the honour. “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 look of getting back together. Whilst Hook says he is still eager to attend the ceremony, his unwillingness to play alongside his ex-bandmates promises to diminish what should be a triumphant occasion for two of Britain’s most influential musical acts.
Ten Years of Silence and Legal Turmoil
The origins of Hook’s animosity stretch far, extending to the wake of Ian Curtis’s death in 1980. When the Joy Division lead singer took his own life, the surviving band members later reformed under the New Order name, with Hook serving as the band’s bass player throughout their most profitable years. However, the dynamic started to deteriorate when Hook exited in 2007, thinking then that New Order had run its course. His exit, he felt, would signal the definitive end of the group. Instead, his former bandmates had other plans.
When Sumner, Morris and Gilbert reformed New Order in 2011 without consulting Hook, the bassist felt betrayed. The move sparked a lengthy and costly legal dispute over the band’s name and royalties — a dispute that Hook asserts consumed six years of his wages. Though the conflict was ultimately resolved in 2017, the emotional and financial impact has created lasting wounds. Hook remains estranged from Sumner or Gilbert in 15 years, and his interactions with Morris has been confined to infrequent exchanges over the last four to five years, making reconciliation unlikely before November’s ceremony.
- Ian Curtis took his own life in 1980, resulting in Joy Division’s breakup
- Hook left New Order in 2007, convinced the band had run its course
- The surviving members reformed without Hook in 2011, sparking legal disputes
- Settlement reached in 2017, but personal relationships remain fractured
The Induction No One Anticipated to Mend
Despite his refusal to participate the stage with his ex-band members, Hook has confirmed he will attend the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame ceremony in November. However, his presence will be a mixed experience, marked more by acknowledgement 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 many, many reasons … not one other member of the band is a reason,” he said plainly, underscoring just how fractured the group has become despite their significant impact on post-punk and electronic music.
The induction, whilst a fitting tribute to two bands that fundamentally reshaped British music, has become something of an awkward affair for all involved. What might ordinarily serve as an opportunity for reflection and reconciliation has instead become a stark reminder of unresolved grievances and the limits of nostalgia. Hook’s decision not to participate 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 feel-good moments and unexpected reunions, will instead bear witness to one of rock music’s most painful and enduring rifts.
Hook’s Conditions for Reconciliation
When pressed on the prospect of reuniting, Hook offered a scenario so laden with 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 chat about it.” The bassist’s deadpan delivery when describing this imagined meeting made evident that such an apology stays firmly in the domain of fantasy. Without genuine acknowledgement of the harm done and the financial toll extracted, Hook appears reluctant to consider the prospect of reconciliation.
Yet Hook hasn’t entirely closed the door on the possibility of eventual reconciliation, recognising that human nature is unpredictable and feelings can change unexpectedly. “So you can’t say for certain, dear. Life is full of surprises. I’m sure that could be a lovely one,” he said with characteristic wryness. The bassist made a relatable parallel, proposing that even those we believe we could never forgive might surprise us with a gesture of genuine contrition. However, the onus, he made clear, rests firmly on his ex-bandmates to take the initial decisive action toward reconciliation—something that seems unlikely before the autumn ceremony.
Contrasting Perspectives from Both Sides
Whilst Peter Hook has been forthright and unambiguous about his refusal to participate in any reunion event, his ex-band members have presented a notably different public position. Bernard Sumner, Stephen Morris and Gillian Gilbert have predominantly refrained from comment on the matter, without confirming or denying their intentions for the November induction ceremony. This imbalance in messaging has resulted in significant ambiguity about how the evening will unfold, with Hook’s defiant stance standing in stark contrast to the comparative silence originating from the three other band members. The missing coordinated statement from New Order indicates either a intentional approach of restraint or a fundamental disagreement about how to address the situation publicly.
The split in their public communications illustrates the broader chasm that has emerged between the parties since their 2007 split and subsequent legal entanglement. Hook’s willingness to speak candidly about his concerns stands in stark contrast to what appears to be a preference from his former colleagues to let the matter rest. Whether this quietness indicates an effort to maintain respect, avoid further conflict, or simply move forward without revisiting previous disagreements remains unclear. What is clear is that the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction will occur against a backdrop of irreconcilably different accounts about what occurred and what ought to follow.
| 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 Fading Hope
The shadow of Oasis looms large over conversations about prospective rock comebacks, yet Hook’s position diverges notably from Liam and Noel Gallagher’s recent rapprochement. Whilst the Gallagher brothers finally returned to a collaborative arrangement after close to thirty years of acrimony, Hook looks far less willing toward such an outcome. The Oasis reunion demonstrated that even the most strained band relationships were capable of healing, especially when monetary rewards and public sentiment coincided. However, Hook’s principled stand implies that financial gain and nostalgia by themselves cannot bridge the chasm created by what he views as a fundamental betrayal at the time of the 2011 reformation.
Hook’s qualified remarks—implying a reunion could happen only if Sumner offered a heartfelt apology—points to a glimmer of possibility, though his sarcastic delivery suggests he harbours minimal real hope of such an gesture. The bassist has devoted considerable time working through the psychological and monetary consequences from the legal dispute, and that built-up resentment appears to have calcified into something less susceptible to the sort of commercial pressures that could otherwise force a reunion. Unlike Oasis, where each side ultimately recognised their common heritage and mutual benefit, Hook seems determined to protect his integrity more than anything, even if it means forgoing a potentially triumphant moment at one of rock music’s most prestigious ceremonies.
- Hook stresses morality over commercial opportunity in his decision not to reunite
- The 2017 legal settlement resolved monetary issues but not emotional wounds
- Authentic reconciliation would necessitate remarkable admission from Sumner