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For other people named Stephen Morris, see Stephen Morris (disambiguation).
Leer másStephen Morris | |
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Background information | |
Birth name | Stephen Paul David Morris |
Born |
Macclesfield, Cheshire, England | 28 October 1957
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Years active | 1977–present |
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Stephen Paul David Morris (born 28 October 1957) is an English multi-instrumentalist, composer and record producer who is best known for his work with the rock band New Order and, previously, Joy Division. He also wrote and performed in The Other Two, a band consisting of Morris and his wife, Gillian Gilbert. Morris also participated in the New Order spin-off band Bad Lieutenant. He is known for his precise drumming that seamlessly weaves with New Order`s and Joy Division`s drum machine sounds. Stylus Magazine ranked Morris No. ?5 on their list of "50 Greatest Rock Drummers of All Time". 1
Stephen Paul David Morris was born on 28 October 1957, in Macclesfield, Cheshire, England. He attended the King`s School, Macclesfield, 2 as did Ian Curtis who was also in Joy Division. After Joy Division (then called Warsaw) 3 tried three other drummers, they eventually recruited Morris, who responded to a wanted ad posted in a local music shop. 4
Morris is noted for his "machine-like" skills as a drummer, which he credits to krautrock influences. 5 During Joy Division recording sessions with Martin Hannett, Morris was asked to record his parts one drum at a time so that Hannett could have complete control over the production. 3 He also took an early interest in drum machines, 6 combining them with traditional drumming on many Joy Division and New Order releases.
Although he is primarily a percussionist, Morris also plays keyboards and synthesizer. 3
Early on, Morris was a contender to become New Order`s lead vocalist, and his vocals can be heard on some early live tracks. He also contributed musically to as-yet-unreleased demos by Quando Quango. He played drums on the song "Soul Kitchen" by Echo & the Bunnymen when they and New Order were both recording at Amazon Studios in Liverpool in 1986, citation needed a time when Echo & the Bunnymen did not have a full-time drummer. New Order were recording Brotherhood while Echo and the Bunnymen recorded their eponymous fifth album.
During a hiatus from New Order, Morris and Gilbert formed the side project The Other Two; together they have released two albums as well as various remixes and soundtrack work. 7 In 2007, Morris and Gilbert remixed two tracks for the Nine Inch Nails remix album Year Zero Remixed.
In June 2009, during New Order`s second break-up, band members Bernard Sumner and Phil Cunningham, along with Jake Evans, formed a new band called Bad Lieutenant. Morris recorded drums on several songs with the band, 4 and joined their line-up for live gigs. Bad Lieutenant released their debut album Never Cry Another Tear in 2009 and toured from October 2009 to April 2010. They began work on a second album, but are presently on hiatus.
New Order reformed with a new line-up in the summer of 2011, and Morris returned to playing with New Order.
In 1979, Morris was questioned about the Yorkshire Ripper case. Joy Division`s touring schedule happened to be similar to Peter Sutcliffe`s movements which led to the police`s suspicion. Following gigs in Halifax, Huddersfield, Leeds and Manchester, both Morris and bass player Peter Hook were questioned. 8
Morris married fellow New Order member Gillian Gilbert in 1994. The couple live in Rainow, Cheshire, and have two daughters, Tilly and Grace. 9
Morris is a fan of science fiction, particularly the TV series Doctor Who. He has a full-sized Dalek replica in his rehearsal room, which Sumner has called "the sixth member" of New Order. 10 He also owns several military vehicles. 11
With Joy Division
Main article: Joy Division discography
With New Order
Main article: New Order discography
With The Other Two