Ex-New Order Bassist Won't Reunite With Former Bandmates at Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: 'I'm Not Bothered'
The list of inductees for this year's Rock & Roll Hall of Fame has been announced and will include the British rock bands Joy Division and New Order. Peter Hook, founding bassist for both groups, revealed he refuses to stand by his former bandmates due to previous disputes.
When the bands were announced to finally be inducted, fans wondered how the ceremony would go down. After Joy Division frontman Ian Curtis died by suicide in 1980, the remaining members, Bernard Sumner, Stephen Morris, Hook, and Gillian Gilbert, regrouped as New Order. Hook would later leave the band as its bassist in 2007. He left believing the group would officially disband, but learned they had once again regrouped without him.
Speaking with Rolling Stone, Hook admitted that he has no plans to stand by his former bandmates at the award ceremony or for an onstage performance. "I won't stand with them. No. I couldn't give a s–t [how it would work]. I'm not bothered. You've got to have morals," he said.
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The bassists still said he's looking forward to the event, but not because of the former band. Following the remaining members' regrouping, Hook went into a lengthy legal battle against them over royalties and use of the band's name. He detailed in his memoir, Substance: Inside New Order, that they had booked tours and released new content while having only given him 1.25% of all earnings.
Hook felt that over 30 years of being with the band earned him more than what was being given. In the end, the legal battle lasted for years and was ultimately settled in 2017. Hook hasn't spoken to some of his former members in over a decade.
"If Bernard pops his head around and goes, ‘Hey Hooky, sorry about that eight-year legal battle that cost you six years' wages. I'm really sorry about it. We should maybe have just had a chat about it," said Hook.
Hook told Rolling Stone that life is full of surprises, and admits that he would only step on stage with the band if they "reach out and try and form some kind of relationship."
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This story was originally published April 23, 2026 at 9:50 AM.