1991 04 20 Martin Hannett NME

Joy Division producer dies

MARTIN HANNETT (right), legendary producer of Joy Division. Happy Mondays and Buzzcocks, died suddenly at his Manchester home last week, following hospital treatment for a chest infection.

Hannett was a founder partner in Manchester's Factory Communications and. in his work on Joy Division's 'Unknown Pleasures' and ‘Closer' LPs, became one of the world's most influential producers.

"In 1979 and 1980 the most important producer in the world was Martin Hannett" said Anthony Wilson, chairman of Factory, “What he did changed the face ot international pop music."

Hannett's involvement in the Manchester music scene dated back to the early '70s, when he promoted music events in the city. He picked up on the embryonic punk scene and was founder ot Rabid Records and manager of punk poet John Cooper Clarke.

Apart from his work with Joy Division, Hannett also produced The Buzzcocks, Durutti Column, Magazine and U2.

In 1980 he was deeply affected by the suicide of Joy Division’s singer lan Curtis. He fell out with his Factory colleagues over the issue of Joy Division royalties and fought the label through the High Court.

‘Those were dark days for Factory," says Wilson. “Martin and the company fought each other to a standstill. He was a strange and remarkable man.” 

Hannett and Factory settled out of court and he split from the company in 1982. But he returned in 1987 to produce the Happy Mondays’ ‘Bummed’ LP. He had recently completed The High’s new album, and was due to work with World Of Twist.

Hannett, who was 42, leaves a wife and two children.


PICTURE KEVIN CUMMINS