Joy Division formed in 1976 in Manchester, England and was in the forefront of the post-punk music scene along with Siouxie and the Banshees and Bauhaus, shaping the roots of gothic rock music.

The lead singer of Joy Division, Ian Curtis, suffered from epilepsy and was in failing health when he committed suicide in 1980. Turmoil in his marriage caused by a love affair with a woman he had met while on tour in Belgium contributed to his despondency.

'Love Will Tear Us Apart' had been the band's most successful single up to that point.
After the death of Ian Curtis, the remaining members of Joy Division, Peter Hook, Stephen Morris and Bernard Sumner, continued on as the band New Order.

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