31ST ANNIVERSARY OF IAN CURTIS` DEATH

Ian Curtis, Joy Division songwriter, lyricist, singer and occasional guitarist, died 31 years ago today, committing suicide on May 18, 1980 – the eve of his band`s first North American tour.

Born in Lancashire on July 15, 1956, Ian Kevin Curtis was known for his bass-baritone singing voice and characteristic on-stage dance moves – oft-imitated – which were actually reminiscent of the epileptic seizures he experienced.

Because of the condition, he collapsed during several performances and had to be helped off stage. He also suffered bouts of depression during his 23 years.

Post-punk band Joy Division released their debut album Unknown Pleasures in 1979 after getting together at a Sex Pistols gig in 1976. When budding musicians Bernard Sumner and Peter Hook told Curtis they were trying to form a band, he immediately put himself forward as a vocalist and lyricist.

With Stephen Morris enlisted as their drummer, the band initially called themselves Warsaw before switching to Joy Division in 1978 because of another group with a similar name.

Signed to Tony Wilson`s Factory Records, the follow-up to Unknown Pleasures – Closer – arrived in 1980.

Curtis`s last live performance was at Birmingham University, a show that included Joy Division`s first and only performance of Ceremony, later recorded by New Order and released as their first single. The last song Curtis performed on stage was Digital.

He hanged himself in the kitchen of his house in Barton Street, Macclesfield after a period of failing health and a struggle to balance his musical ambitions with his marriage to his teenage sweetheart, Deborah. The latter was foundering in the aftermath of his affair with Belgian journalist Annik Honor