BERNARD SUMNER
Bernard Sumner has enjoyed enormous success in the world of popular music with two iconic bands, Joy Division and New Order.
Bernard started Salford Grammar School in 1967 and was in Gloucester House and Form 1. Here he met Peter Hook and formed a friendship of over forty years. At school he was known as Barney Dickin, a surname he took from his step father.
After attending a Sex Pistols concert at the Free Trade Hall, Manchester in 1976, Bernard and Peter went on to form the legendary band Joy Division. They were signed up to Factory Records by Tony Wilson and enjoyed almost immediate success. Just before the band’s second album was released, lead singer Ian Curtis committed suicide after long term physical and mental health problems.
Bernard’s next venture was to form New Order with ‘Hooky’ and this group went on to become one of the most successful bands of the Brit Pop era with no less than ten studio albums, numerous hit singles and a string of music awards. Bernard was now central to the band’s success being both lead singer and lyricist as well as playing both guitar and keyboards.
Later the band went through and acrimonious break up and Bernard and Peter were no longer working together. Once Peter Hook left the band it continued to perform and tour.
Bernard has been involved in a number of collaborations over the years including Electronic with Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr and with the Chemical Brothers on their album Surrender.
In 2026, Joy Division and New Order were voted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the bands’ greatest accolade to date.
