1977, explosion of the punk wave in England. Within bands like the recently formed Sex Pistols, appears the band later known as Joy Divison, which would eventually become the first post-punk movement band, giving emphasis to expression and depression - not to rage and energy like most punk bands in those days - and pointing towards an increasing of melancholy in 80's alternative music.

Originally called Warsaw, they release their demo tape The Warsaw Demo on July 18th 1977 and an year later, their first EP: An Ideal for Living (1978).
Still in 1978, they change their name to the definitive Joy Division, based on Karol Cetinsky's novel The House of Dolls about World War II, which rises then, and later on, some speculation by the press about nazi's influences on the band's name and not only.

They work shortly after on what would have become their first album, but one of the sound engineers decided to add some synthesiser work to make the sound more "professional". The band hated the result and decided not to release the album (this would be later released under the title Warsaw (1995)).
Between participations in compilations and as support band of unsuccessful concerts, Joy Division remain in obscurity until a radio broadcast to the entire United Kingdom (on February 14th 1979) of a recording made by John Peel on January of the same year (later released as First Peel Session).
Later, on April, they release Unknown Pleasures (1979) with production of Martin Hannet. The album is well received by critics and Joy Division gain an enormous number of fans and taste the rapid increase of their reputation.

Meanwhile it's diagnosed epilepsy to Ian Curtis, the charismatic leader of the band, and Joy Division's concerts are a success. Overcrowded and with Curtis' epilepsy fits more and more frequent - people couldn't distinguish the fits from Ian's usual maniac behaviour on stage anymore - the band is leaded to a fame increase in the alternative music plan in United Kingdom and in the whole world.

In November 1979, Joy Division recorded their Second Peel Session with one of the songs, Love Will Tear Us Apart, being released only in April of the following year and which until then could only be heard in live performances. In the following year they record the album Closer (1980) (it should have been released in May but it would be released only in July, after Ian's death) and later on the single Love Will Tear Us Apart (1980) which reflects an autobiographic lament over Ian's relationship with Annik Honor?, and which starts then to undermine his marriage.
In April 1980, Joy Division reach the top of their success and with it one of their most tragic moments. In one hand a planned tour to United States and a contract perspective with Warner Bros (rumours point to a one million dollars contract). On the other hand, Ian Curtis suffers from a drug overdose, probably a cry for help.

On the 2nd May, Joy Division give their last concert, on the University of Birmingham. This was fortunately recorded and later included on the second half of Still.

On 18th May 1980, two days before Joy Division leave to the American tour, Ian Curtis is found dead at home, victim of a self-inflicted hang.
Paying for his own sins, victim of depression caused by epilepsy or by the drugs he was taking to control it, Curtis puts and end to his own life and to one of the most charismatic bands of this period.

After Curtis' dead, in January next year, the remaining members of the band: Hook, Morris and Albrecht form the New Order. Subsequently it's released the album Still (1981), the compilation Substance (1988) and, in the fifteenth anniversary of Ian's death, the compilation Permanent: Joy Division 1995, the tribute A Means to An End and his life's biography Touching from a Distance written by his widow, Deborah Curtis.
In December 1997 it's released a 4 CD box-set titled Heart and Soul, with most of the studio, live and rare recordings.

The English punk movement shocked the world during the 70's, but it was Joy Division's silent storm of musical consciousness and emotional power that proved to be of extreme importance to independent music in the 80's, always leaded by the tortured words of his leader, Ian Curtis. The legend is over, but anyone can still hear the quiet screams of revolt from one of the most important songwriters on music's history...

"Something must break now - this life isn't mine" Ian Curtis, 1979