Bernard Sumner

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Bernard Sumner
Bernard Sumner live in New York City (May 2005).
Bernard Sumner live in New York City (May 2005).
Background information
Birth name Bernard Sumner
Born 4 January 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.

Contents

[edit] 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. Primarily known as the band's lead guitarist (his main guitars were a Gibson SG and a Shergold Custom Masquerader) Sumner also played keyboards for synth parts. 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.

[edit] 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.

[edit] 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.

[edit] Personal

Sumner has used the surnames Dicken and Albrecht in the past and had always refused to explain why he has used different names. He's also been reluctant to discuss his family background. In 2007 it was revealed his mother had cerebral palsy and that he had been adopted by his stepfather John Dickin. It had previously been thought that Sumner was born Dicken, but this was a name he made up, possibly to avoid the embarrassment caused by his adopted name. Sumner was his mother's maiden name and is the name that appears on his birth certificate. The revelations about his past were made in a book about his life - Bernard Sumner: Confusion - Joy Division, Electronic and New Order Versus the World by David Nolan published in 2007 - that Sumner co-operated with.

Sumner lives in Alderley Edge, Cheshire with his second wife, Sarah. He is a keen supporter of Manchester United football club.

[edit] 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.

[edit] Discography

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

[edit] Biography

  • Bernard Sumner: Confusion - Joy Division, Electronic and New Order Versus the World, David Nolan,30 Aug 2007

[edit] External links

v • d • e
Joy Division
Ian Curtis • Bernard Sumner • Peter Hook • Stephen Morris
Terry Mason • Tony Tabac • Steve Brotherdale
Albums
Compilations
Live albums
Singles and EPs
Related
v • d • e
New Order
Bernard Sumner • Stephen Morris • Phil Cunningham
Gillian Gilbert • Peter Hook
Albums
Compilations
EPs
Singles
"Ceremony" • "Procession" • "Everything's Gone Green" • "Temptation" • "Blue Monday" • "Confusion" • "Thieves Like Us" • "Murder" • "The Perfect Kiss" • "Sub-culture" • "Shellshock" • "State of the Nation" • "Bizarre Love Triangle" • "True Faith" • "Touched by the Hand of God" • "Blue Monday 1988" • "Fine Time" • "Round & Round" • "Run 2" • "World in Motion" • "Regret" • "Ruined in a Day" • "World (The Price of Love)" • "Spooky" • "True Faith-94" • "1963" • "Blue Monday-95" • "Video 5 8 6" • "Crystal" • "60 Miles an Hour" • "Someone Like You" • "Here to Stay" • "Krafty" • "Jetstream" • "Waiting for the Sirens' Call" • "Guilt Is a Useless Emotion"
Videos