Joy Division Central
@jd-central.bsky.social
The unofficial Joy Division Central web site
Born OTD 1953 “1 Top Class Manager” Rob Gretton
Manchester City fan Gretton was an insurance clerk then worked on a kibbutz.
In 1976 he became involved in the emerging Manchester punk scene with Slaughter & The Dogs and The Panik. Then JDs manager.
Photo © Kevin Cummins @kcmanc.bsky.social
Manchester City fan Gretton was an insurance clerk then worked on a kibbutz.
In 1976 he became involved in the emerging Manchester punk scene with Slaughter & The Dogs and The Panik. Then JDs manager.
Photo © Kevin Cummins @kcmanc.bsky.social
January 15, 2026 at 5:22 PM
Born OTD 1953 “1 Top Class Manager” Rob Gretton
Manchester City fan Gretton was an insurance clerk then worked on a kibbutz.
In 1976 he became involved in the emerging Manchester punk scene with Slaughter & The Dogs and The Panik. Then JDs manager.
Photo © Kevin Cummins @kcmanc.bsky.social
Manchester City fan Gretton was an insurance clerk then worked on a kibbutz.
In 1976 he became involved in the emerging Manchester punk scene with Slaughter & The Dogs and The Panik. Then JDs manager.
Photo © Kevin Cummins @kcmanc.bsky.social
Joy Division OTD 1980: The Basement, Cologne, Germany, a vaulted church crypt. Fee 1000DM + 50% of door.
Bootlegged on Die Kalten Winde Des Winters 2LP.
"Fucking hell, Europe was cold" - Hooky regretted skinhead hair cut.
Photo © Reinhard Völkel joydiv.org/c150180.htm
Bootlegged on Die Kalten Winde Des Winters 2LP.
"Fucking hell, Europe was cold" - Hooky regretted skinhead hair cut.
Photo © Reinhard Völkel joydiv.org/c150180.htm
January 15, 2026 at 12:07 PM
Joy Division OTD 1980: The Basement, Cologne, Germany, a vaulted church crypt. Fee 1000DM + 50% of door.
Bootlegged on Die Kalten Winde Des Winters 2LP.
"Fucking hell, Europe was cold" - Hooky regretted skinhead hair cut.
Photo © Reinhard Völkel joydiv.org/c150180.htm
Bootlegged on Die Kalten Winde Des Winters 2LP.
"Fucking hell, Europe was cold" - Hooky regretted skinhead hair cut.
Photo © Reinhard Völkel joydiv.org/c150180.htm
Joy Division OTD 1980: King Kong, Antwerpen, Belgium. Police stopped all fly-posting so ticket sales were low.
The band refused the first hotel on offer then Ian's paramour Annik thought the second was a brothel.
Full story: joydiv.org/c140180.htm
Pic Bob Campenaerts
The band refused the first hotel on offer then Ian's paramour Annik thought the second was a brothel.
Full story: joydiv.org/c140180.htm
Pic Bob Campenaerts
January 14, 2026 at 1:27 PM
Joy Division OTD 1980: King Kong, Antwerpen, Belgium. Police stopped all fly-posting so ticket sales were low.
The band refused the first hotel on offer then Ian's paramour Annik thought the second was a brothel.
Full story: joydiv.org/c140180.htm
Pic Bob Campenaerts
The band refused the first hotel on offer then Ian's paramour Annik thought the second was a brothel.
Full story: joydiv.org/c140180.htm
Pic Bob Campenaerts
OTD 1979: Joy Division played live at Wythenshawe College, Manchester. We still have very little information, were you there? joydiv.org/c120179.htm
January 12, 2026 at 3:05 PM
OTD 1979: Joy Division played live at Wythenshawe College, Manchester. We still have very little information, were you there? joydiv.org/c120179.htm
Joy Division OTD 1980: Paard Van Troje (The Trojan Horse), The Hague. Supported by Minny Pops. Surprisingly no recording of this concert has ever surfaced. If you have a poster, ticket, or info please get in touch joydiv.org/c120180.htm
Venue Pic: tinyurl.com/y2wq8lrg
Venue Pic: tinyurl.com/y2wq8lrg
January 12, 2026 at 8:41 AM
Joy Division OTD 1980: Paard Van Troje (The Trojan Horse), The Hague. Supported by Minny Pops. Surprisingly no recording of this concert has ever surfaced. If you have a poster, ticket, or info please get in touch joydiv.org/c120180.htm
Venue Pic: tinyurl.com/y2wq8lrg
Venue Pic: tinyurl.com/y2wq8lrg
Ian Curtis on stage at the Paradiso
Photos by @joydivisionBook
Framed prints available from joydivisionbook.com
Photos by @joydivisionBook
Framed prints available from joydivisionbook.com
January 11, 2026 at 5:47 PM
Ian Curtis on stage at the Paradiso
Photos by @joydivisionBook
Framed prints available from joydivisionbook.com
Photos by @joydivisionBook
Framed prints available from joydivisionbook.com
OTD 1980: Joy Division played their legendary and much bootlegged concert at the Paradiso, Amsterdam, the first date on their European tour. The local support didn't play so Joy Division played two completely different sets for the price of one. joydiv.org/c110180.htm
January 11, 2026 at 5:46 PM
OTD 1980: Joy Division played their legendary and much bootlegged concert at the Paradiso, Amsterdam, the first date on their European tour. The local support didn't play so Joy Division played two completely different sets for the price of one. joydiv.org/c110180.htm
January 1979: Joy Division met Richard Searling at Portland Bar Manchester and bought their RCA master tapes back for £1500
Warsaw bootlegs (1980 onwards) probably from a cassette copy not the original master
Info: Touching From a Distance, Deborah Curtis amzn.to/49t37tb
Warsaw bootlegs (1980 onwards) probably from a cassette copy not the original master
Info: Touching From a Distance, Deborah Curtis amzn.to/49t37tb
January 9, 2026 at 5:51 PM
January 1979: Joy Division met Richard Searling at Portland Bar Manchester and bought their RCA master tapes back for £1500
Warsaw bootlegs (1980 onwards) probably from a cassette copy not the original master
Info: Touching From a Distance, Deborah Curtis amzn.to/49t37tb
Warsaw bootlegs (1980 onwards) probably from a cassette copy not the original master
Info: Touching From a Distance, Deborah Curtis amzn.to/49t37tb
OTD 1980: Joy Division recorded Love Will Tear Us Apart at Pennine Sound Studios, Oldham.
This version ended up on the B side of the single with the A side featuring the slower version recorded at Strawberry Studios in March 1980. joydiv.org/sessions.htm
This version ended up on the B side of the single with the A side featuring the slower version recorded at Strawberry Studios in March 1980. joydiv.org/sessions.htm
January 8, 2026 at 8:32 PM
OTD 1980: Joy Division recorded Love Will Tear Us Apart at Pennine Sound Studios, Oldham.
This version ended up on the B side of the single with the A side featuring the slower version recorded at Strawberry Studios in March 1980. joydiv.org/sessions.htm
This version ended up on the B side of the single with the A side featuring the slower version recorded at Strawberry Studios in March 1980. joydiv.org/sessions.htm
January 1978: Deborah Curtis passed her driving test. Her first car was a Morris Traveller, bought with a £160 tax rebate.
Info: Touching From a Distance amzn.to/2sT2tos
Info: Touching From a Distance amzn.to/2sT2tos
January 7, 2026 at 7:19 PM
January 1978: Deborah Curtis passed her driving test. Her first car was a Morris Traveller, bought with a £160 tax rebate.
Info: Touching From a Distance amzn.to/2sT2tos
Info: Touching From a Distance amzn.to/2sT2tos
OTD 2010: The Royal Mail issued the Classic Album Covers Stamp Collection, featuring “Power Corruption and Lies” amongst others
January 7, 2026 at 2:58 PM
OTD 2010: The Royal Mail issued the Classic Album Covers Stamp Collection, featuring “Power Corruption and Lies” amongst others
Happy Birthday Rowetta
January 5, 2026 at 12:52 PM
Happy Birthday Rowetta
New Order OTD 1981 The Fan Club, Leeds.
Joy Division had played there in 78 and 79 but Rob Gretton forbade any mention of Joy Division in the publicity. The flyer said 'If you don't know who they are, don't bother coming'.
Venue and badge pic: joydiv.org/yorkshire
Joy Division had played there in 78 and 79 but Rob Gretton forbade any mention of Joy Division in the publicity. The flyer said 'If you don't know who they are, don't bother coming'.
Venue and badge pic: joydiv.org/yorkshire
January 4, 2026 at 3:00 PM
New Order OTD 1981 The Fan Club, Leeds.
Joy Division had played there in 78 and 79 but Rob Gretton forbade any mention of Joy Division in the publicity. The flyer said 'If you don't know who they are, don't bother coming'.
Venue and badge pic: joydiv.org/yorkshire
Joy Division had played there in 78 and 79 but Rob Gretton forbade any mention of Joy Division in the publicity. The flyer said 'If you don't know who they are, don't bother coming'.
Venue and badge pic: joydiv.org/yorkshire
Happy Birthday to Bernard Sumner, born OTD 1956 in a central Manchester hospital. Raised in Salford.
Stage photo: Paul Baines @Pablo66
tinyurl.com/ydcyez37
Early career photo at Stop Frame Productions / Cosgrove Hall animation studios via
@Mr_Dave_Haslam
Stage photo: Paul Baines @Pablo66
tinyurl.com/ydcyez37
Early career photo at Stop Frame Productions / Cosgrove Hall animation studios via
@Mr_Dave_Haslam
January 4, 2026 at 12:06 PM
Happy Birthday to Bernard Sumner, born OTD 1956 in a central Manchester hospital. Raised in Salford.
Stage photo: Paul Baines @Pablo66
tinyurl.com/ydcyez37
Early career photo at Stop Frame Productions / Cosgrove Hall animation studios via
@Mr_Dave_Haslam
Stage photo: Paul Baines @Pablo66
tinyurl.com/ydcyez37
Early career photo at Stop Frame Productions / Cosgrove Hall animation studios via
@Mr_Dave_Haslam
New Order OTD 1981: Tatton Community Centre, Chorley, UK. Supported by PR5. “New Order Were Joy Division”
Procession
Dreams Never End
Truth
Mesh
The Him
Cries And Whispers
Ceremony
Senses
The poster was designed by Matthew Higgs tinyurl.com/yc3jel7o
Procession
Dreams Never End
Truth
Mesh
The Him
Cries And Whispers
Ceremony
Senses
The poster was designed by Matthew Higgs tinyurl.com/yc3jel7o
January 3, 2026 at 4:25 PM
New Order OTD 1981: Tatton Community Centre, Chorley, UK. Supported by PR5. “New Order Were Joy Division”
Procession
Dreams Never End
Truth
Mesh
The Him
Cries And Whispers
Ceremony
Senses
The poster was designed by Matthew Higgs tinyurl.com/yc3jel7o
Procession
Dreams Never End
Truth
Mesh
The Him
Cries And Whispers
Ceremony
Senses
The poster was designed by Matthew Higgs tinyurl.com/yc3jel7o
OTD 1981 New Order at Porterhouse Retford, with Crispy Ambulance. About 40 people paid £2.00 to see them.
ICB
In A Lonely Place
Senses
Mesh
Dreams Never End
Cries and Whisper
Truth
The Him
Ceremony
Set list: tinyurl.com/y7bv9zzt
ICB
In A Lonely Place
Senses
Mesh
Dreams Never End
Cries and Whisper
Truth
The Him
Ceremony
Set list: tinyurl.com/y7bv9zzt
January 2, 2026 at 6:02 PM
OTD 1981 New Order at Porterhouse Retford, with Crispy Ambulance. About 40 people paid £2.00 to see them.
ICB
In A Lonely Place
Senses
Mesh
Dreams Never End
Cries and Whisper
Truth
The Him
Ceremony
Set list: tinyurl.com/y7bv9zzt
ICB
In A Lonely Place
Senses
Mesh
Dreams Never End
Cries and Whisper
Truth
The Him
Ceremony
Set list: tinyurl.com/y7bv9zzt
New Order on the cover of CD & Record Buyer magazine January 1996
January 1, 2026 at 9:33 PM
New Order on the cover of CD & Record Buyer magazine January 1996
OTD 1979 Joy Division played at the Factory New Year's Eve Party in Warehouse above Dry Bar, Oldham St, Manchester. joydiv.org/c311279.htm
Hooky refused Deborah Curtis a kiss and everyone got drunk on copious free Special Brew after paid bar abandoned
Hooky refused Deborah Curtis a kiss and everyone got drunk on copious free Special Brew after paid bar abandoned
December 31, 2025 at 5:55 PM
OTD 1979 Joy Division played at the Factory New Year's Eve Party in Warehouse above Dry Bar, Oldham St, Manchester. joydiv.org/c311279.htm
Hooky refused Deborah Curtis a kiss and everyone got drunk on copious free Special Brew after paid bar abandoned
Hooky refused Deborah Curtis a kiss and everyone got drunk on copious free Special Brew after paid bar abandoned
Last Warsaw gig OTD 1977: The Swingin' Apple, Liverpool.
They were paid £60 and a crate of beer and they covered Iggy Pop's classic The Passenger, see TFAD by Deborah Curtis
amazon.co.uk/Touching-Dista…
Photo outside the venue: Gareth Davy via Waterisnat
joydiv.org/c311277.htm
They were paid £60 and a crate of beer and they covered Iggy Pop's classic The Passenger, see TFAD by Deborah Curtis
amazon.co.uk/Touching-Dista…
Photo outside the venue: Gareth Davy via Waterisnat
joydiv.org/c311277.htm
December 31, 2025 at 2:37 PM
Last Warsaw gig OTD 1977: The Swingin' Apple, Liverpool.
They were paid £60 and a crate of beer and they covered Iggy Pop's classic The Passenger, see TFAD by Deborah Curtis
amazon.co.uk/Touching-Dista…
Photo outside the venue: Gareth Davy via Waterisnat
joydiv.org/c311277.htm
They were paid £60 and a crate of beer and they covered Iggy Pop's classic The Passenger, see TFAD by Deborah Curtis
amazon.co.uk/Touching-Dista…
Photo outside the venue: Gareth Davy via Waterisnat
joydiv.org/c311277.htm
Bernard Sumner remembers the weight on his shoulders in December 1978.
From Chapter and Verse - New Order, Joy Division and Me
amzn.to/3YcxSgL
From Chapter and Verse - New Order, Joy Division and Me
amzn.to/3YcxSgL
December 29, 2025 at 12:07 PM
Bernard Sumner remembers the weight on his shoulders in December 1978.
From Chapter and Verse - New Order, Joy Division and Me
amzn.to/3YcxSgL
From Chapter and Verse - New Order, Joy Division and Me
amzn.to/3YcxSgL
Factory Records Christmas Card from the early 80s designed by Phil Pennington
factoryrecords.org/cerysmatic/fac
factoryrecords.org/cerysmatic/fac
December 25, 2025 at 2:50 PM
Factory Records Christmas Card from the early 80s designed by Phil Pennington
factoryrecords.org/cerysmatic/fac
factoryrecords.org/cerysmatic/fac
Ian Curtis and his sister Carole at a Christmas party held for the families of the Transport Police in 1964.
From Torn Apart by Lindsay Reade
From Torn Apart by Lindsay Reade
December 25, 2025 at 2:34 PM
Ian Curtis and his sister Carole at a Christmas party held for the families of the Transport Police in 1964.
From Torn Apart by Lindsay Reade
From Torn Apart by Lindsay Reade
Happy Christmas from Joy Division Central
December 25, 2025 at 2:32 PM
Happy Christmas from Joy Division Central
Reposted by Joy Division Central
Sending love to everyone who finds the Christmas period an uphill climb. There are a hundred very valid and totally understandable reasons for this. Whether you reach out for help, or hunker down in your cave, good luck. We’ll get through this.
December 23, 2025 at 10:30 AM
Sending love to everyone who finds the Christmas period an uphill climb. There are a hundred very valid and totally understandable reasons for this. Whether you reach out for help, or hunker down in your cave, good luck. We’ll get through this.
On this day 1992 Joy Division and New Order signed to London records. Factory Records had gone bankrupt two months earlier. “Could they handle us? Only time would tell” - Peter Hook, Substance book.
December 23, 2025 at 6:04 PM
On this day 1992 Joy Division and New Order signed to London records. Factory Records had gone bankrupt two months earlier. “Could they handle us? Only time would tell” - Peter Hook, Substance book.