New Order Faces Uncertainty as Original Members Step Back from Live Shows
The iconic Manchester band New Order is facing uncertainty as two original members have announced they will not be performing live shows due to health issues. Drummer Stephen Morris and keyboard player Gillian Morris will not be joining the band for live performances this year, leaving just one original member on stage. Despite the absence of Stephen and Gillian, the band is set to play at Primavera in Chile in November, marking their first performance there in seven years.
New Order was formed in 1980 by Bernard Sumner, Peter Hook, and Stephen Morris following the death of Joy Division singer Ian Curtis. The addition of Gillian Gilbert on keyboards completed the band. Known for their rock and electronic fusion, New Order gained popularity with hits like "Blue Monday," which sold over a million copies. The current lineup includes Bernard, Phil Cunningham on keyboards, and Tom Chapman on bass.
Rumors of discord within the band surfaced after former member Peter Hook suggested that Bernard would be touring as the sole member of New Order. However, sources close to the band clarified that Stephen and Gillian are still part of New Order, despite their absence from live shows. Following a split from Hook in 2007 and subsequent reunion in 2011, New Order faced legal battles over royalties, leading to strained relationships among the members.
Despite settling financial disputes in 2017, the band's future remains uncertain. New Order is set to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame later this year, but tensions within the group persist. With Peter Hook pursuing his own musical endeavors, the band's legacy and future hang in the balance.