Bernard Sumner

Bernard Sumner
Bernard Sumner live in New York City (May 2005).
Background information
Birth name	Bernard Sumner
Born	January 4 1956 (1956-01-04) (age 52) Broughton, Salford, England
Instrument(s)	Vocals, Guitars, Keyboards, Melodica, Percussion
Associated acts	New Order Joy Division Electronic

Bernard Sumner (born 4 January 1956 in Lower Broughton, Salford, Lancashire, England,is a British singer, guitarist and keyboardist, originally with Joy Division and a member of New Order.

Joy Division

Sumner was a founding member of Joy Division, a post punk band formed in 1977. The band enjoyed moderate commercial success but is credited with being one of the most influential bands of the era. Sumner was a guitarist and played the synthesizers. The band's most popular songs included "Love Will Tear Us Apart" and "Atmosphere". In May 1980 the band's vocalist, Ian Curtis, committed suicide and soon after Joy Division ceased producing music.

New Order

Sumner and remaining band mates Peter Hook and Stephen Morris started a new band named New Order, taking in Gillian Gilbert. Though Hook, Morris and Gilbert also contributed vocals on some early tracks, Sumner emerged as the band's permanent lead vocalist and lyricist.

Other music

In 1983 Sumner co-produced, with Donald Johnson, the band Foreign Press and 'The Great Divide'/'Love in a Strange Place'. EMI 5430 (12" 12EMI5430) Foreign Press (aka Emergency) had had a long history with Sumner through both Joy Division and New Order. In 1989, Sumner joined up with former Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr to form Electronic. He has also recorded tracks with fellow Mancunians 808 State and Sub Sub. Sumner appeared as a guest vocalist on The Chemical Brothers' 1999 album Surrender, on the track "Out of Control", and in the 2005 Chemical Brothers show at the Brixton Academy, Sumner appeared live on stage as a special guest on this track. He has also done several remixes, such as Technotronic's "Rockin' Over the Beat" and served as a record producer for other Factory Records acts such as the Happy Mondays and Section 25.

Personal

Sumner lives in Alderley Edge, Cheshire with his second wife, Sarah.

Film

Sumner has been portrayed on film twice. John Simm played him in the 2002 film 24 Hour Party People, which focused on Factory Records. In the Ian Curtis biopic, Control, he is played by James Anthony Pearson.

Discography

(Singles featuring Bernard Sumner on guest vocals and/or guitar)

• 808 State - "Spanish Heart" (1991)
• Sub Sub feat: Bernard Sumner - "This Time I'm Not Wrong" (1997)
• Chemical Brothers - "Out Of Control" (1999)
• Primal Scream - "Shoot Speed Kill Light" (2000)

Biography

• , David Nolan,30 Aug 2007

External links

• Bernard Sumner biography
• New Order & Joy Division site
• Short bio at JoyDiv.org
• Joy Division detailed discography
• Full list of recordings featuring or remixed by Bernard Sumner.
• Bernard Sumner Forum