Historic Guitar owned by Joy Division's Ian Curtis to go on display at the British Music Experience

The British Music Experience, UK’s Museum of Popular Music in Liverpool is putting Ian Curtis’ Vox Phantom VI Special guitar on display to celebrate the enormous contribution of both Curtis and Joy Division to the history of British music.

Bought in September of 1979 by Joy Division’s manager, Rob Gretton, this Phantom Vox was the very guitar used by Curtis on stage during Joy Division’s 1980 European Tour, as well as on the recording of their track “Heart and Soul”, and features throughout the music video for the timeless hit “Love Will Tear Us Apart”. Curtis can be seen playing this guitar at several venues during the band’s legendary 1980 tour. The Guitar will be on display at the British Music Experience this November.

Considered by many as a British cultural icon who had a once-in-a-generation talent, Ian Curtis’ musical legacy, even 40 years on, is as strong as ever. Despite a short career, Ian’s association with Joy Division as a fascinating and enigmatic figure was instrumental in the band becoming pioneers of the post-punk movement with their debut album ‘Unknown Pleasures’, released by Factory Records in 1979. Now regarded as one of the best albums of all time, it’s said ‘Unknown Pleasures’ defined not only the city of Manchester, but a moment of social change. Through his complex and melancholic song-writing, his distinct vocals, and commanding stage presence, Ian has managed to leave a lasting influence on musicians everywhere, and the music industry has never quite been the same since.

Formed in 1976 in Salford, Greater Manchester, Joy Division (originally named Warsaw) consisted of singer and ‘song-poet’ Ian Curtis, guitarist and keyboardist Bernard Sumner, bass player Peter Hook, and drummer Stephen Morris (who joined in 1977). Inspired by other musicians such as David Bowie, Kraftwerk, Sex Pistols, Jim Morrison, Iggy Pop, Roxy Music and Lou Reed, Ian’s vision had a powerful impact on the band, resulting in Joy Division moving away from the typical ‘punk sound’ of the time, and instead creating their own sound, now considered as the start of the post-punk movement.

Following Curtis’ untimely death in 1980, the Phantom Vox stayed with the band, who later that year became the prolific ‘New Order’, and was looked after and used by Bernard Sumner. Many years later, Bernard gifted the guitar to Ian’s daughter Natalie. The guitar is now owned by a private collector who has kindly agreed for the rare object to take its well-deserved place on public display at the British Music Experience.

Trustee of the British Music Experience, and Liverpool’s UNESCO Head of Music Kevin McManus commented:

“It’s a real honour for BME to be able to exhibit such a wonderful piece of music history from one of the UK’s most celebrated artists. Joy Division were one of the most important bands of the punk/post punk era and they remain as one of the most influential bands of the twentieth century. I was lucky enough to see Joy Division play live and it is one of those gigs that will always stay clear in my memory. They were a group that changed many people’s lives and Ian Curtis was at the heart of it: a brilliant song writer with a mesmerising stage presence and haunting vocals. By exhibiting this very special guitar we can pay our tribute to one of the UK’s greatest ever groups and hopefully encourage more visitors to discover the unknown pleasure of Joy Division.”

The BME is adding the guitar to its collection and it will go on display from 14 November 2024. The museum will be marking the occasion with a special evening film screening of the 2007 biopic, Control, on Thursday 28 November. During the evening event, the guitar will be available to view for all ticket holders.

All general entry tickets purchased are valid for 12 months and each eligible visitor has the opportunity to support the Museum by Gift Aiding the cost of admission.