Bernard Sumner (born 4 January 1956) is an English singer, musician, songwriter, and record producer. He is a founding member of the bands

Joy Division Joy Division were an English rock band formed in Salford in 1976. The group consisted of vocalist Ian Curtis, guitarist/keyboardist Bernard Sumner, bassist Peter Hook and drummer Stephen Morris. Sumner and Hook formed the band after atte ...

, New Order, and

Electronic Electronic may refer to: *Electronics, the science of how to control electric energy in semiconductor * ''Electronics'' (magazine), a defunct American trade journal *Electronic storage, the storage of data using an electronic device *Electronic co ...

. Sumner was an early force in several areas, including the

post-punk Post-punk (originally called new musick) is a broad music genre, genre of Punk Music, punk music that emerged in the late 1970s as musicians departed from punk's traditional elements and raw simplicity, instead adopting a variety of avant-garde s ...

, synthpop, and

techno Techno is a Music genre, genre of electronic dance music (EDM) which is generally music production, produced for use in a continuous DJ set, with tempo often varying between 120 and 150 beats per minute (bpm). The central Drum beat, rhythm is typ ...

music scenes, as well as their various related genres, and was an early influence on the

Manchester Manchester () is a city in Greater Manchester, England. It had a population of 552,000 in 2021. It is bordered by the Cheshire Plain to the south, the Pennines to the north and east, and the neighbouring city of Salford to the west. The t ...

music scene that presaged the "

Madchester Madchester was a musical and cultural scene that developed in the English city of Manchester in the late 1980s, closely associated with the indie dance scene. Indie-dance (sometimes referred to as indie-rave) saw artists merging indie music ...

" movement of the late 1980s centered on

Factory Records Factory Records was a Manchester-based British independent record label founded in 1978 by Tony Wilson and Alan Erasmus. The label featured several important acts on its roster, including Joy Division, New Order, A Certain Ratio, the Duru ...

and

The Haçienda The Haçienda was a nightclub and music venue in Manchester, North West England, which became famous during the Manchester years of the 1980s and early 1990s. It was run by the record label Factory Records. The club opened in 1982, eventually ...

club in Manchester. He began his career playing guitar and keyboards for Joy Division. Following lead singer

Ian Curtis Ian Kevin Curtis (15 July 1956 – 18 May 1980) was an English musician, singer, and songwriter. He was best known as the lead singer, guitarist, and lyricist of the post-punk band Joy Division, with whom he released the albums ''Unknown P ...

's death, the remaining members of Joy Division formed New Order with Sumner taking on lead vocal duties. His complex electronic compositions became less guitar-driven and more focused on electronic keyboards, synthesizers, and programming throughout the 1980s and 1990s. He formed

with Johnny Marr in the late 1980s as a creative outlet outside of New Order, which continued after New Order went on hiatus in 1993. New Order became active again from 1998 through 2006, after which he returned to a more traditional rock context with the band

Bad Lieutenant ''Bad Lieutenant'' is a 1992 American neo-noir crime film directed by Abel Ferrara. The film stars Harvey Keitel as the titular "bad lieutenant" as well as Victor Argo and Paul Calderón. The screenplay was co-written by Ferrara with actress-mod ...

. He continues to record and perform with the latest iteration of New Order, which reformed in 2011.

Early life

Sumner was born on 4 January 1956 in

Broughton, Lancashire Broughton is a village and civil parish in the City of Preston, Lancashire, England, approximately north of Preston city centre. According to the 2001 census it had a population of 1,735, decreasing to 1,722 at the 2011 Census. The parish is ...

, England. Sumner was

educated Education is a purposeful activity directed at achieving certain aims, such as transmitting knowledge or fostering skills and character traits. These aims may include the development of understanding, rationality, kindness, and honesty. Va ...

Salford Grammar School Salford () is a city and the largest settlement in the City of Salford metropolitan borough in Greater Manchester, England. In 2011, Salford had a population of 103,886. It is also the second and only other city in the metropolitan county aft ...

, before joining Manchester-based animation studio Stop Frame (later

Cosgrove Hall Films Cosgrove Hall Films (also known as Cosgrove Hall Productions) was an English animation studio founded by Brian Cosgrove and Mark Hall; its headquarters was in Chorlton-cum-Hardy, Manchester. Cosgrove Hall was once a major producer of childr ...

) as an animator (credited as Bernard Dickin) on ''

Jamie and the Magic Torch ''Jamie and the Magic Torch'' is a British children's television series made by Cosgrove Hall for Thames Television and shown on the ITV network, running from 1976 to 1979. It was shown again in the 1980s to a new audience of children. The se ...

''.

Career

Joy Division

Sumner was a founding member of

, formed at

Salford Salford () is a city and the largest settlement in the City of Salford metropolitan borough in Greater Manchester, England. In 2011, Salford had a population of 103,886. It is also the second and only other city in the metropolitan county afte ...

in 1976. He and childhood friend Peter Hook both attended the fabled Sex Pistols concert at Manchester's

Free Trade Hall The Free Trade Hall on Peter Street, Manchester, England, was constructed in 1853–56 on St Peter's Fields, the site of the Peterloo Massacre. It is now a Radisson hotel. The hall was built to commemorate the repeal of the Corn Laws in 1846. T ...

on 4 June 1976 and whose music inspired them to perform together. Widely considered one of the most influential

band Band or BAND may refer to: Places *Bánd, a village in Hungary *Band, Iran, a village in Urmia County, West Azerbaijan Province, Iran * Band, Mureș, a commune in Romania *Band-e Majid Khan, a village in Bukan County, West Azerbaijan Province, I ...

s of the era, Sumner was lead guitarist (his main guitars were a

Gibson SG The Gibson SG is a solid-body electric guitar model introduced by Gibson in 1961 as the Gibson Les Paul SG. It remains in production today in many variations of the initial design. The SG (where "SG" refers to Solid-Body Guitar) Standard is Gi ...

and a custom Shergold Masquerader), as well as playing electronic keyboards and made his first vocal appearance on record singing the chorus of "Walked in Line" on the ''

Warsaw Warsaw ( pl, Warszawa, ), officially the Capital City of Warsaw,, abbreviation: ''m.st. Warszawa'' is the capital and largest city of Poland. The metropolis stands on the River Vistula in east-central Poland, and its population is officia ...

'' album. In May 1980, after the suicide of its lead singer,

, Joy Division disbanded.

New Order

Sumner and remaining band members Peter Hook and Stephen Morris started a new band named New Order, joined by keyboardist

Gillian Gilbert Gillian Lesley Gilbert (born 27 January 1961) is an English musician and singer, best known as the keyboardist and guitarist of the band New Order. Early life Gilbert's family moved from her birthplace, Manchester, to the nearby market town of ...

in October 1980. Though Hook, Morris and Gilbert also contributed vocals on some early tracks, Sumner emerged as the band's permanent singer and lyricist, alongside playing guitar and keyboards. Through a series of splits and reformations, the band has released ten studio albums.

Electronic

In 1989, Sumner joined up with former Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr to form

. The Pet Shop Boys'

Neil Tennant Neil Francis Tennant (born 10 July 1954) is an English musician, singer, songwriter and music journalist, and co-founder of the synth-pop duo Pet Shop Boys, which he formed with Chris Lowe in 1981. He was a journalist for ''Smash Hits'', and ...

collaborated on two tracks on their debut eponymous album, providing vocals. Sumner was their singer, guitarist, keyboardist and lyricist.

Bad Lieutenant

included fellow New Order member Phil Cunningham and Jake Evans of Rambo & Leroy. Stephen Morris of New Order and Blur bassist Alex James also performed on the band's debut album. Sumner provided vocals, guitar and lyrics.

Other projects

In 1981,

Pauline Murray Pauline Murray (born 8 March 1958) is best known as the lead vocalist of the punk rock band Penetration, originally formed in 1976. Early years Pauline Murray was born on 8 March 1958 in Waterhouses, County Durham, England, and her parents late ...

and

The Invisible Girls The Invisible Girls were a British rock band, formed in Salford, Greater Manchester in 1978, to provide a musical backdrop to the recorded output of Salford punk poet John Cooper Clarke. The band's nucleus was Joy Division and New Order produc ...

released their last single " Searching for Heaven", which included a guitar solo by Sumner, although he was not credited in the sleeves of its 7" and 10" edition at the time. In 1983, Sumner co-produced, with Donald Johnson, the single "The Great Divide"/"Love in a Strange Place" by the band Foreign Press. Foreign Press (aka Emergency) had had a long history with Sumner through both Joy Division and New Order. In 1990, he worked with former

label mates

A Certain Ratio A Certain Ratio (abbreviated as ACR) are an English post-punk band formed in 1977 in Flixton, Greater Manchester by Peter Terrell (guitar, electronics) and Simon Topping (vocals, trumpet), with additional members Jez Kerr (bass, vocals), Martin ...

, remixing their song "Won't Stop Loving You". He has also recorded tracks with fellow Mancunians 808 State and Sub Sub. Sumner appeared as guest singer and guitarist (alongside Primal Scream's Bobby Gillespie) on

The Chemical Brothers The Chemical Brothers are an English electronic music duo formed by Tom Rowlands and Ed Simons in Manchester in 1989. They were pioneers (along with the Prodigy, Fatboy Slim, the Crystal Method, and other acts) in bringing the big beat gen ...

' 1999 album ''

Surrender Surrender may refer to: * Surrender (law), the early relinquishment of a tenancy * Surrender (military), the relinquishment of territory, combatants, facilities, or armaments to another power Film and television * ''Surrender'' (1927 film), an ...

'', on the track " Out of Control"; and in a 2005 Chemical Brothers show at the

Brixton Academy Brixton Academy (originally known as the Astoria Variety Cinema, previously known as Carling Academy Brixton, currently named O2 Academy Brixton as part of a sponsorship deal with the O2 brand) is a mid-sized concert venue located in South Wes ...

, Sumner appeared live onstage as a special guest on this track. He has also lent vocals and guitar to a track ("Miracle Cure") on German trance outfit

Blank & Jones Blank & Jones are a German electronic music duo, consisting of the members Jan Pieter Blank (born June 15, 1971), known as Piet Blank; René Runge (born June 27, 1968), better known as DJ Jaspa Jones; and the producer Andy Kaufhold (N*D*K) (born ...

2008 release, " The Logic of Pleasure". Sumner also appeared on the Primal Scream track "Shoot Speed Kill Light" from their 2000 album '' XTRMNTR''. He has produced several remixes for tracks such as

Technotronic Technotronic was a Belgian electronic music project formed in 1987 by Jo Bogaert, who originally gained popularity in Europe as a solo artist with various new beat projects, including Acts of Madmen and Nux Nemo. Together with rapper Manuela ...

's " Rockin' Over the Beat" (which was featured in the ''

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III ''Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III'' is a 1993 American superhero film written and directed by Stuart Gillard. It is the sequel to '' Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze'' (1991), and the final installment in the original ' ...

'' soundtrack) and served as a record producer and/or songwriter for other

acts including

Happy Mondays Happy Mondays are an English rock band formed in Salford in 1980. The original line-up was Shaun Ryder (vocals), his brother Paul Ryder (bass), Gary Whelan (drums), Paul Davis (keyboard), and Mark Day (guitar). Mark "Bez" Berry later joine ...

(whose second single, "Freaky Dancin'," he produced in 1986), Shark Vegas, Abecedarians,

52nd Street 52nd Street is a -long one-way street traveling west to east across Midtown Manhattan, New York City. A short section of it was known as the city's center of jazz performance from the 1930s to the 1950s. Jazz center Following the repeal of ...

and Section 25. In 2020, Sumner collaborated with composer/producer Zachery Allan Starkey on two singles, “Force” and “Fear City”, which were recorded for Starkey’s solo album, FEAR CITY, released in April 2020. Based in New York City, Starkey opened for New Order during the Music Complete Tour in 2016/2017, after which he and Sumner began to discuss a collaboration. Starkey and Sumner co-produced “Force” and “Fear City”, and Sumner provided synthesizers, guitar, keyboards, and drum programming on both tracks. The Starkey/Sumner collaborations received positive reviews from critics and were featured in Clash Magazine, The London Times, Under the Radar, Filter Magazine, and Brooklyn Vegan, amongst other publications.

Personal life

Sumner married Sue Barlow on 28 October 1978; they had a son, James (born 1983), before divorcing in 1989. Sumner currently lives with his second wife, Sarah Dalton, and their three children. Sumner was portrayed by

John Simm John Ronald Simm (born 10 July 1970) is an English actor, director, and musician. He is best known for playing Sam Tyler in ''Life on Mars'', the Master in ''Doctor Who,'' and DS Roy Grace in ''Grace.'' His other television credits include '' S ...

in the 2002 film ''

24 Hour Party People ''24 Hour Party People'' is a 2002 British biographical comedy-drama film about Manchester's popular music community from 1976 to 1992, and specifically about Factory Records. It was written by Frank Cottrell Boyce and directed by Michael Wint ...

'' and

James Anthony Pearson James Anthony Pearson (born 1 October 1989 in Rochdale, Greater Manchester) is a British actor who lives in Glasgow. Pearson is best known for his performance as Bernard Sumner in Anton Corbijn's film ''Control''. He played the role of Angus S ...

in the 2007 film ''

Control Control may refer to: Basic meanings Economics and business * Control (management), an element of management * Control, an element of management accounting * Comptroller (or controller), a senior financial officer in an organization * Controllin ...

''.

Discography

Joy Division

* ''

Unknown Pleasures ''Unknown Pleasures'' is the debut studio album by English rock band Joy Division, released on 15 June 1979 by Factory Records. The album was recorded and mixed over three successive weekends at Stockport's Strawberry Studios in April 1979, wi ...

'' (1979) *'' Closer'' (1980)

New Order

*'' Movement'' (1981) *''

Power, Corruption & Lies ''Power, Corruption & Lies'' is the second studio album by English rock band New Order, released on 2 May 1983 by Factory Records. The album features more electronic tracks than their 1981 debut '' Movement'', with heavier use of synthesizers ...

'' (1983) *''

Low-Life A low-life (or lowlife) is a term for a person who is considered morally unacceptable by their community. Examples of people society often labels low-lives include aggressive panhandlers, bullies, criminals, drug dealers, freeloaders, hobos, ...

'' (1985) *'' Brotherhood'' (1986) *'' Technique'' (1989) *'' Republic'' (1993) *'' Get Ready'' (2001) *'' Waiting for the Sirens' Call'' (2005) *'' Lost Sirens'' (2013) *'' Music Complete'' (2015)

Electronic

* ''

'' (1991) *'' Raise the Pressure'' (1996) *'' Twisted Tenderness'' (1999)

Bad Lieutenant

* '' Never Cry Another Tear'' (2009)

Collaborations

* Section 25 – "Sakura" (keyboards, 1982) *

– ''Look into My Eyes'' (synthesizer, production, 1982) * Section 25 – ''Back To Wonder / Beating Heart'' (production, 1983) *

Quando Quango Quando Quango were a British electronic music group, formed by The Haçienda DJ and Factory Records A&R man Mike Pickering, Hillegonda Rietveld and Reinier Rietveld. Their unique sound influenced the underground dance music scenes in New Yor ...

– "Love Tempo" (production, 1983) *

The Durutti Column The Durutti Column are an English post-punk band formed in 1978 in Manchester, England.Strong, Martin C. (1999) "The Great Alternative & Indie Discography", Canongate, The band is a project of guitarist and occasional pianist Vini Reilly wh ...

– ''I Get Along Without You Very Well / Prayer'' (production, 1983) *

– "I Need Someone Tonite" (synthesizer, 1983) *

– ''Cool As Ice / Twice As Nice'' (synthesizer, production, 1983) * Surprize – ''In Movimento'' (production, 1984) * Paul Haig – "The Only Truth" (guitar, production, 1984) * Marcel King – ''Reach For Love / Keep On Dancing'' (synthesizer, production, 1984) *

– ''2 From Quando'' (production, 1984) * Section 25 – '' From The Hip'' (composer, production, 1984) * Section 25 – "Looking From A Hilltop (Restructure)" (synthesizer, production, 1984) * Section 25 – "Crazy Wisdom" (production, 1985) * Shark Vegas – "You Hurt Me" (guitar, production, 1985) * Paul Haig – "Love and War" (guitar, 1986) * Section 25 – "Bad News Week" (production, 1987) *

– "Good Together" (backing vocals, 1989) *

The Beat Club The Beat Club is a techno music group that was founded in the late 1980s by Ony Rodriguez and Mirey Valls in Miami, Florida. History Ony Rodriguez began his career in the late 1980s as a rhythm guitarist and producer with EMI recording grou ...

– "Security (Remix)" (vocals, production, 1990) * Banderas – "This Is Your Life" (backing vocals, guitar, 1991) * 808 State – "Spanish Heart" (vocals, 1991) * Sub Sub – "This Time I'm Not Wrong" (vocals, guitar, 1997) *

– "Out of Control" (vocals, guitar, 1999) * Primal Scream – "Shoot Speed Kill Light" (guitar, 2000) *

– "Miracle Cure" (vocals, guitar, 2008) * Hot Chip – "Didn't Know What Love Was" (vocals, keyboards, production, 2010) * Zachery Allan Starkey – "Force" (guitar, synthesizer, keyboards, sequencer, additional drum programming, production, 2020) * Zachery Allan Starkey – "Fear City" (synthesizer, keyboards, bass synthesizer, drum programming, production, 2020)

Bibliography

* Curtis, Deborah (1995). Touching from a Distance: Ian Curtis and Joy Division. London: Faber. . * ''Bernard Sumner: Confusion – Joy Division, Electronic and New Order Versus the World'', David Nolan, 2007 * ''Chapter and Verse – New Order, Joy Division and Me'', Bernard Sumner, 2014

Notes

References

Sources

External links

* * *
New Order Online
– semi-official website, endorsed by the band {{DEFAULTSORT:Sumner, Bernard 1956 births Living people English new wave musicians British alternative rock musicians British synth-pop new wave musicians Male new wave singers Alternative rock singers English rock guitarists Alternative rock guitarists Lead guitarists English male guitarists English rock keyboardists English male singer-songwriters English record producers Joy Division members New Order (band) members British post-punk musicians Electronic (band) members English tenors English lyricists 20th-century English singers 21st-century English singers English male writers 20th-century English writers 21st-century English writers Ivor Novello Award winners Music in Salford People educated at Salford Grammar School People from Broughton, Greater Manchester People from Alderley Edge People from Cheshire