AceShowbiz - Peter Hook recently shared his thoughts on the induction of Joy Division and New Order into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, revealing a mix of emotions about the honor and the possibility of a reunion with his former bandmates. Despite years of conflict and legal battles, Hook remains cautiously open to the idea of coming together again under the right circumstances.

When news broke that Joy Division/New Order were finally accepted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, fans immediately wondered what the induction night might hold. Notably, Hook has not performed with New Order since 2007 amid ongoing tensions. The relationship between Hook and the rest of the band has been strained by legal disputes, conflicting memoirs, and public disagreements. While the Hall of Fame has a history of reconciling feuding artists, this reunion seemed unlikely.

One week following the announcement, Hook spoke with Rolling Stone via Zoom to discuss the induction, reflect on the band’s legacy, and outline his upcoming tour with his group the Light, during which he plans to perform the 2001 New Order album Get Ready in full. His feelings on the Rock Hall recognition are complex, and although a reunion remains a distant hope, he does not completely dismiss it.

On receiving the induction news, Hook admitted he was surprised and moved by the response. He noted that while New Order had applied for induction three times, this third attempt was successful. He also revealed that his current project, Peter Hook and the Light, had actively supported the nomination from the start, unlike other factions of the band who were reportedly less enthusiastic in their promotion efforts.

Hook explained that their applications faced obstacles, such as limited access to official Joy Division and New Order social media pages for campaigning, which made it challenging to rally broader support. Nevertheless, the fans ultimately played a decisive role in securing the honor, something Hook found gratifying given the cool relationship between band members.

On a personal level, Hook expressed particular happiness for a longtime friend and fan named David Sultan, a United Airlines pilot who has passionately campaigned for Joy Division and New Order’s Hall of Fame induction for over two decades. Sultan had even curated a display at the Cleveland Hall of Fame dedicated to the bands before they had official social media presence. Hook said the recognition felt like a victory for Sultan, who had been a dedicated supporter despite suffering personal hardships.

Reflecting on the combined induction of Joy Division and New Order, Hook supported the decision to honor them as one entity rather than separate acts. He argued that the two bands are intrinsically linked, sharing a continuous creative force. According to him, the transition from Joy Division to New Order was a natural progression rather than a hard break, with the latter evolving its unique sound while maintaining the songwriting core.

He acknowledged the tragic loss of Ian Curtis, Joy Division’s lead singer, and how that absence left a lasting void in New Order’s dynamic. Hook described the band’s early years as a struggle to adapt, comparing the group to a table with a “wonky leg” that could never quite regain the same stability without Curtis. Despite this, New Order found success, particularly in the United States, and persevered for many years after.

Hook recounted how his memoir, Substance, portrays New Order as the defining band of the 1980s, highlighting their rise and legacy from 1980 through 1990, culminating in their England World Cup song. After that period, he felt the band’s momentum waned, especially following member departures and side projects like Electronic and Bad Lieutenant, which diluted the group’s identity. Attempts to reunite later never fully recaptured the original spark, even though new songs were written and fans remained loyal.

He noted the irony of fans continuing to support New Order even as the original lineup fractured, sometimes expressing frustration to him about the current band’s performances. Hook advised those fans to simply withhold their support if they were dissatisfied, emphasizing the odd position he was in as the original bassist watching other versions of the band carry the name.

Regarding the lengthy wait for induction, Hook suggested the timing might have been influenced by what would resonate best with fans. He acknowledged that many influential bands remain unrecognized by the Hall of Fame and questioned why groups like The Cure were inducted earlier. Ultimately, he accepted the delay as part of life’s unpredictable nature, emphasizing persistence and patience.

The 2026 induction class, which includes Oasis, Sade, Phil Collins, and Iron Maiden alongside Joy Division/New Order, stands out for its strong representation of English artists. Hook found it notable that Oasis had once supported his earlier band, Revenge, on tour in 1990. He remembered meeting Liam Gallagher at that time, marking an unexpected connection decades before their shared recognition.

Throughout the conversation, Hook maintained a reflective and candid tone, acknowledging the complicated history while expressing gratitude for the fans who ultimately made the induction possible. While a full New Order reunion remains a remote prospect, Hook left the door open, stating that “life’s full of surprises” when it comes to the future of the band’s legacy and their Hall of Fame celebration.