Bernard Sumner

Infobox musical artist
Background = vocal_instrumentalist
Name = Bernard Sumner


Img_capt = Bernard Sumner live in New York City (May 2005).
Background = solo_singer
Birth_name = Bernard Sumner
Born = birth date and age|1956|1|4|df=y
Broughton, Salford, England
Died =
Instrument = 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. He is best known as a founding member of two highly influential bands, Joy Division and New Order.

Joy Division

Sumner was a founding member of Joy Division, a post punk band formed in 1977. The band enjoyed moderate commercial success, and is widely considered 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; soon after, Joy Division broke up.

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.

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 and the Pet Shop Boys' Neil Tennant 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.

Personal life

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. 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 fan of Manchester United football club.

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.

Discography

"(Singles featuring Bernard Sumner on guest vocals and/or guitar)"
* "808 State" - "Spanish Heart" (1991)
* "Sub Sub feat: Bernard Sumner" - "This Time I'm Not Wrong" (1997)
* "Chemical Brothers" - "Out Of Control" (1999)
* "Primal Scream" - "Shoot Speed Kill Light" (2000)
* "Blank & Jones feat. Bernard Sumner" - "Miracle Cure" (2008)

Biography

* , David Nolan,30 Aug 2007

External links

* [http://www.neworderonline.com New Order & Joy Division site]
* [http://www.joydiv.org/members.htm Short bio at JoyDiv.org]
* [http://www.incubation.ch/ Joy Division detailed discography]
* [http://www.discogs.com/artist/Bernard+Sumner Full list of recordings featuring or remixed by Bernard Sumner.]
* [http://www.barneysangels.com Bernard Sumner Forum]