The gravestone of Joy Division singer Ian Curtis in Macclesfield, England, bearing the legend "Love Will Tear Us Apart," the title of the band's most famous single, appears to have been stolen on either July 1 or July 2, according to local authorities.
Two Joy Division members have spoken out on the theft, which came about two weeks before Ian Curtis' 52nd birthday (July 15), when thousands of fanstraditionally gather at the site to celebrate the singer, who committed suicide in1980 just before the band was scheduled to tour America for the first time.
Bassist Peter Hook told Xfm radio (via Undercover), "I must that admit that in my life I've been to Ian's stone a lot. It'ssomewhere, especially with the effect it had on me after what we did,
it's somewhere that I go for a moment of quiet reflection just to givethe guy a nod."
Drummer StephenMorris asked the thief to "have a bit of dignity about it" and return the stone anonymously in a conversation with NME (via Exclaim): "I justdon't understand why anyone would do it. You couldn't sell it on eBay –
it's ridiculous and very upsetting. I'm speechless. It really is not avery nice thing at all."
Guitarist and keyboardist Bernard Sumner does not appear to have been reached about the theft, but one assumes he feels the same way.
Police are investigating; there were no closed-circuit cameras near the area.
this audio or video is no longer availableWhy would someone steal it now, after all these years? Morris thinks the recent media attention surrounding the band (below) may have had something to do with it. "There had been the films, so maybesomeone thought they could cash in… or maybe it's someone who is a bitderanged - you'd have to be."
See Also:
- Early Review: The Upcoming 'Joy Division' Documentary
- Joy Division Documentary To Be Preloaded on Joy Division Zunes
- Coming Soon: The Joy Division Zune
- Joy Division Edition of Microsoft Zune Slated for June 17
- Joy Division Zune Unboxed
Photo: the hanner
