New Order drummer Stephen Morris to publish his autobiography

New Order drummer Stephen Morris is to become the latest member of the band to publish his autobiography. Morris has signed a deal with publishers Constable for his memoirs, which will be released in 2018. The book follows New Order singer Bernard Sumner writing his autobiography Chapter And Verse in 2014.

Former New Order bassist Peter Hook published Substance, his memoir about his time in the band, last week. It follows Hook’s books Unknown Pleasures about Joy Division in 2013 and his memoir about New Order’s time running the Hacienda club, The Hacienda: How Not To Run A Club, in 2010.

Substance was in the headlines last week as it detailed claims of physical violence by Hook’s late ex-wife Caroline Aherne’s towards her then-husband. Morris’ book was signed by Andreas Campomar, director of Constable, which is an imprint of major publishers Little Brown.

Morris said of his as-yet-untitled autobiography: “After dropping pretty big hints over the past few years that I was writing about my recollections of nearly four decades living a fantastic and, at times traumatic, life creating music in Joy Division and New Order, I am delighted that Little, Brown has given my writing a home. I am really excited to be working with Andreas Campomar, whose enthusiasm for developing something more than a straight rock memoir is inspiring.”

Campomar said: “Stephen’s book won’t be that typical music autobiography, which tends to be high on mischief and low on the music. Part memoir, part visual scrapbook, part aural history, it will be a hybrid memoir in Stephen’s wry and witty voice. Stephen will weave a dual narrative of growing up in the North West during the 1970s with how the music actually works. It will also explore what it is to be part of a mythologised band and the idea of what you do becoming who you are.”

Morris’ book means that, of New Order’s founding quartet, only keyboardist Gillian Gilbert has yet to publish her autobiography. New Order finished touring their ‘Music Complete’ album in September, while Hook’s new band Peter Hook And The Light go on a 10-date tour in March playing Joy Division and New Order songs, starting at Newcastle Boilershop on March 2.