Ian Curtis Archive
Date range: 1960’s - 2007
Medium: Archive
Number of items: Approximately 700
Ian Curtis was the lead singer, front-man and lyricist in the band Joy Division. Writing the majority of the band’s lyrics for their two albums Unknown Pleasures and Closer as well as singles and B-sides. An astonishing live performer and singer he brought a unique intensity and energy to Joy Division shows’ and the post-punk period that had been seldom seen before or since. Ian Curtis tragically committed suicide in May 1980 at age 24.
He and the band are now rightly regarded as one of the most important British bands of all time and Ian Curtis lyrics, performance and image have all reached iconic status as have the bands artwork and back catalogue.
The archive contains an almost complete collection of handwritten lyrics on paper as well as three small personal lyric notebooks. It also contains fan correspondence, personal photographs, period ephemera and Ian Curtis personal collection of books and records.
On top of the personal materials from Ian Curtis’ lifetime it also contains associated materials, records, ephemera and correspondence connected to Joy Division and New Order’s continued output, including for the film Control.
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Further information:
The archive is catalogued, please contact the Special Collections reading room for further information.
Location:
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