Joy Division was an English rock band formed in Salford in 1976 by Bernard Sumner and Peter Hook after attending a Sex Pistols concert. The band featured Ian Curtis on vocals and lyrics, Sumner on guitar and keyboards, Hook on bass, and Stephen Morris on drums. Starting with punk influences, they soon pioneered the post-punk sound, known for their stark, atmospheric style. Their 1978 debut EP An Ideal for Living gained the attention of Factory Records, leading to the release of their acclaimed 1979 album Unknown Pleasures, produced by Martin Hannett. As their popularity grew, frontman Ian Curtis struggled with health and personal issues, eventually leading to his death in 1980, just before their first North American tour. Following Curtis's passing, Joy Division released their second album, Closer, and the single Love Will Tear Us Apart, both achieving critical and commercial success. The remaining members later formed New Order, continuing to influence music with their blend of post-punk and electronic sounds.