People are just realising what the band name Joy Division means after 49 years Joy Division formed in Salford nearly 50 years ago, but it has taken decades for some fans to realise what the band's name actually means. It's left some people floored Joy Division onstage at the Lantaren (Image: Redferns ) If you're a music fan, you'll probably have heard of rock band Joy Division, who formed in Salford back in 1976. The group comprised vocalist, guitarist and lyricist Ian Curtis, guitarist and keyboardist Bernard Sumner, bassist Peter Hook and drummer Stephen Morris. After heading to a Sex...