Touching From a Distance by Deborah Curtis Page A

first, because of Ian’s chat with Tony Wilson and second, because it gave Rob Gretton the opportunity to see Joy Division at their most determined and enthusiastic.
    Tony Wilson remembered that he had already promised that they would be the next band he would put on screen. So when he had the opportunity for a ‘What’s On’ spot during Granada Reports, he arranged for Joy Division to perform ‘Shadowplay’. With monochrome footage of a dire cityscape taken from a World In Action documentary, the song came across as exciting and different. Joy Division would later be invited back to film ‘Transmission’ and ‘She’s LostControl’. Ian’s verbal abuse had triumphed over the fervent competition that existed between the myriad bands spawned at the time.
    Initially, the boys in Joy Division were greatly lacking in aggression. They all found it difficult to barter for the gigs which were in such short supply. While other bands found Joy Division to be aloof, arrogant and perhaps unnervingly sure of their eventual success, Joy Division covered their doubts well and thought other bands were more streetwise and ready for a fight. There appeared to be a social gulf between Joy Division and some of their contemporaries, and despite joining the Manchester Musicians’ Collective, they didn’t make many friends within the business.
    One of their luckiest breaks came when Rob Gretton became their manager. A tough Wythenshawe boy, he was well equipped to guide them through the rigorous business of getting a deal.
    ‘We all had a go at managing and we were all hopeless. It was too much to do and basically people don’t like talking to musicians. They still think musicians are stupid. In fact, I’d agree with them on that; most of them are pretty stupid. I never got the feeling Ian was unhappy with Rob coming in.’
    Peter Hook
    Ian made up his mind to accept Rob Gretton. After meeting him and his girlfriend, Lesley Gilbert, he told me how amiable they both were but repeated it almost to himself as if to reaffirm the decision he had either made or been forced into making. He spoke about them as if they were his guardians, or surrogate parents. Indeed, when the shit finally hit the fan it was to them we both turned. Unfortunately, Lesley and I would be at a disadvantage when later on Rob and Ian’s relationship developed a confidentiality similar to that of solicitor and client, or doctor and patient. Ian had enjoyed organizing the deal with Derek Brandwood, but if he resented Rob Gretton taking over the situation, he never showed it. The most difficult thing for him to do must have been later when he gave up his job in the Civil Service and had to rely on Rob arranging regular monthly payments.
    Ian was very lucky to fall in with such an easy-going bunch of people. They always accepted him the way he was. The white lies he told were taken simply as a part of him and never caused any major rows. Sometimes he would bitch about someone, but he would completely deny it when confronted. He hated it if anyone else went on holiday – not because he wanted to go away himself, but because he thought that time spent away was futile. He expected everyone to put all their time and effort into performing, as he did. Despite having more responsibilities at home than the others, he was much more dedicated and determined than they were. Once, when Bernard had taken yet another holiday, Ian put it to the rest of the lads that Bernard simply wasn’t a good enough guitarist and that they needed a second rhythm guitarist to join the band and boost the sound. He even told me that they were auditioning in Bernard’s absence. Bernard was furious when he found out and asked Rob Gretton whose idea it had been. Ian looked aghast. ‘I never said that!’ he said. It was this incident that brought Peter Hook’s bass-playing more up front and made it a much more dominant part of their music. Later, it became one of Joy Division’s best-loved