Bernard Sumner
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Bernard Sumner (born Bernard Dicken, 4 January 1956 in Broughton, Salford, Lancashire, England) was the guitarist and keyboardist with Joy Division. After the May 1980 suicide of Joy Division's vocalist Ian Curtis, Sumner and remaining bandmates Peter Hook and Stephen Morris changed the name of the band to New Order, later taking in Gillian Gilbert. Though Hook, Morris and Gilbert also contributed vocals on some early tracks, Sumner emerged reluctantly as the band's permanent lead vocalist and lyricist. Sumner has also served as a record producer for other Factory Records acts such as the Happy Mondays and Section 25.
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 recreating this track.
During the late 1970s and early 1980s, Sumner was also sometimes credited under the names 'Bernard Albrecht', 'Bernard Dicken' and 'Bernard Albrecht-Dicken'. In interviews, he has repeatedly refused to comment on these name changes, calling it a family matter. Fans have reported that originally he used his mother's surname Sumner, but upon her subsequent marriage, they both took the name Dicken. Later he changed it to Albrecht — perhaps to play off Joy Division's frequent references to Nazi themes, or in reference to Albrecht Dürer, or, as was sometimes reported, from a photocopier company where he worked before his musical career — then back to Sumner. He is comically known to friends and fans as 'Barney', a name that is known to annoy him greatly.
He was later portrayed by John Simm in the film 24 Hour Party People.
He is notable for his many contributions to post-punk music. His guitar and keyboard playing in Joy Division was very influential. His singing, songwriting, and use of synthesizer technology for New Order has made him a major contributor to British music. Sumner is also known for his outrageous onstage dancing moves, an irony due to the fact that he was instrumental in molding the rave dance culture.
Red Hot Chili Peppers' guitarist John Frusciante has noted in several interviews that Sumner is his all time favourite guitarist.
[edit] External links
- Joy Division Fans Club
- Bernard Sumner biography
- New Order & Joy division site
- Joy Division detailed discography
| New Order |
| Bernard Sumner | Peter Hook | Stephen Morris | Phil Cunningham Former member: Gillian Gilbert |
| Discography |
|---|
| Albums: Movement | Power, Corruption & Lies | Low-Life | Brotherhood | Technique | Republic | Get Ready | Waiting for the Sirens' Call |
| Compilation Albums: Substance | (The Best of) New Order | (The Rest of) New Order | International | Retro | Singles |
| EPs: 1981-1982 New Order | Peel Sessions 1982 | Peel Sessions 1981 | The Peter Saville Show Soundtrack |
| Singles: New Order discography |
| Related articles |
| Side projects: Electronic | Revenge | Monaco | The Other Two Topics: Joy Division | Factory Records | The Haçienda | 24 Hour Party People People: Ian Curtis | Martin Hannett | Peter Saville | Tony Wilson | Rob Gretton | Stephen Hague |
