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| 1976 | Joy Division |  |
| Salford Joy Division is formed, originally named Warsaw, the band consists of Ian Curtis (vocals and guitar), Bernard Sumner (guitar and keyboards), Peter Hook (bass guitar and vocals), and Stephen Morris (drums and percussion) |
| 1977 | Joy Division | |
| The band rename themselves Joy Division in late 1977, borrowing their new name from the prostitution wing of a Nazi concentration camp in the 1965 novel The House of Dolls |
| 29th May Warsaw play their first gig supporting the Buzzcocks and Penetration at the Electric Circus |
| 1978 | Joy Division | |
| Joy Division contribute two tracks recorded with producer Martin Hannett to the compilation double 7" EP A Factory Sample, the first release by Tony Wilson's record label Factory Records |
| 25th Jan The group played their first gig as Joy Division |
| 27th Dec Ian Curtis suffers his first recognisable epileptic fit, after a show Curtis has a seizure during the ride home and has to be taken to a hospital, In spite of Curtis ' illness, Joy Division's career continues to progress |
| 1979 | Joy Division | |
| 13th Jan Curtis appears on the front cover of the NME due to the persistence of music journalist Paul Morley and that same month the band record their first radio session for BBC Radio 1 DJ John Peel |
| April Stockport The band begin recording their debut album Unknown Pleasures at Strawberry Studios, producer Martin Hannett contributes significantly to the final sound |
| 1980 | Death | |
| 19th May Curtis hangs himself in the kitchen of his home; Deborah Curtis , his wife, discovers his body |
| 1980 | Joy Division | |
| April London With Martin Hannett again producing, the band record their second album Closer Britannia Row Studios |
| 8th April Joy Division is set to play a gig at the Derby Hall in Bury, Curtis had attempted suicide the previous night by overdosing on phenobarbitone prescribed for his epilepsy |
| 19th May Curtis hangs himself in the kitchen of his home; Deborah Curtis , his wife, discovers his body |
| June The posthumous single "Love Will Tear Us Apart" is released |
