MARTIN’S HAZY MEMORIES ARE FILLED WITH JOY
THEY were just one of several bands that a young photographer captured on stage at the same Altrincham venue.
But on that night – March 14, 1979 – Martin O’Neill had an inkling as he used up two rolls of film on them at Bowdon Vale Youth Club that they were destined for greater things.
Later that year he saw them again – at Manchester Apollo.
The group were Joy Division and more than 20 of Martin’s pictures of them playing live at the club are being exhibited in Macclesfield, the home town of lead singer Ian Curtis, to coincide with the 35th anniversary of his death.
Called ‘I Remember Nothing’, the collection is being shown at Charles Roe House until June 28.
Martin, from Salford, says his recollection of the gig is hazy, but said: “There are two things I do remember. Ian Curtis starting to dance – it was bizarre and quite scary. Mick Middles wrote a book about Joy Division and he says I said to Curtis ‘Mind my ******* camera’. But I don’t think I did.”
He added: “Also, because the stage was so low I got onto the stage and was taking pictures from behind the band – that’s when Peter Hook told me to **** off.”
He also recalls the ‘Indian restaurant’ style 70s furry wallpaper in the club.
He said: “It was a regular Wednesday night gig. I took pictures of other bands too, like The Fast Cars, V2, and The Freshies.”
An avid Joy Divsion and New Order fan, Martin added: “It was their very early days. I feel lucky and privileged that I was there, and so close to them. I only ever saw them once again and that was at the Apollo later that year.
“With all the other bands I used one roll, but with Joy Division I used two, which tells you something.”
A former press photographer, and a professional photographer since 1978, Martin hopes some of his pictures could be permanently exhibited.
“It would be great if there could be a permanent exhibition of Joy Division at Charles Roe House. Incubation Arts, who work from the building, are trying to get funding to do this.”
Copies of Martin’s pictures are available to buy via his business, StudioFiveFour, in Culceth. For more information go to www.studiofivefour.com.
His archives also include a set of 1984 photographs of The Smiths at The Free Trade Hall.