It’s been over four decades since Peter Hook co-founded Joy Division, the band that evolved into New Order following the tragic death of Ian Curtis. From pioneering post-punk to shaping electronic dance music, New Order’s legacy is undeniable. But there’s one recognition still missing from their resume — induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
In a recent interview, Hook addressed the elephant in the room: Why hasn’t New Order made it into the Rock Hall yet? His answer, as always, was as candid as fans have come to expect.
“It’s politics, plain and simple,” Hook said. “The Hall of Fame has a history of ignoring bands with messy relationships — and let’s face it, ours was more than messy.”
Fractures in the Factory
The tensions between Peter Hook and his former New Order bandmates — Bernard Sumner, Stephen Morris, and Gillian Gilbert — are well-documented. Hook left the band in 2007 after mounting personal and creative differences. Since then, he’s carved out a successful career with his band, Peter Hook & The Light, performing Joy Division and New Order albums in full. Meanwhile, New Order has continued to tour and release new music without him.
When New Order was nominated for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2020, fans were cautiously optimistic. But when the band didn’t make the final cut — and when Joy Division and New Order were later jointly nominated in 2023 but again not inducted — it felt like an intentional snub.
“We’re a band with a complicated history,” Hook acknowledged. “And I think the Hall doesn’t know what to do with us. Are we Joy Division? Are we New Order? Are we both? And if we are inducted, who gets to stand on stage and take the credit?”
It’s a fair question. The Hall of Fame tends to avoid messy reunions, and New Order’s saga is particularly tangled. Still, for fans, the music speaks louder than the drama.
Revisiting Get Ready: An Underrated Classic
Despite the politics, Peter Hook isn't waiting around for industry validation. He’s channeling his energy into what he does best: playing music. His current tour sees him and The Light performing New Order’s 2001 album Get Ready in full — a bold choice, considering it’s one of the band’s most divisive records.
“Get Ready was the last album I did with New Order, and I think it’s criminally underrated,” Hook said. “It marked a return to our rock roots, after all the dance records. It’s raw, emotional — and it deserves a second listen.”
Released after an eight-year hiatus, Get Ready saw New Order embracing guitar-heavy sounds while still retaining their signature synth textures. With tracks like “Crystal,” “Slow Jam,” and “Someone Like You,” the album bridged the gap between their post-punk origins and the modern indie-rock landscape.
Hook's decision to play the album front to back is more than nostalgia — it’s a reclamation.
“For me, playing Get Ready is about closure. It’s about giving that record the spotlight it never got, and giving fans the chance to hear it live in a way they never have.”
Looking Back Without Regret
For someone who’s been at the heart of two of the most influential bands of the 20th century, Peter Hook remains refreshingly grounded — and unapologetically honest.
“I’m proud of what we did — in both Joy Division and New Order. Whether or not we ever get into the Rock Hall, the legacy is already there. The fans are the real hall of fame, and they’ve stuck with me all the way.”
As Hook continues to tour the world with Get Ready and deeper cuts from New Order and Joy Division’s catalog, one thing is clear: Rock Hall or not, his place in music history is secure — and he’s not done making noise yet.