When in Rome, do as the Romans do. When in Genoa, visit the Monumental Cemetery of Staglieno.
Before Peter Hook & The Light’s final live show of 2015 last night in Italy, the former Joy Division (and New Order) bassist visited the cemetery that houses two tombs closely affiliated with the Manchester post-punk band’s aesthetics: The Appiani family tomb, which was used for the cover of 1980 album Closer, and the Ribaudo family tomb, which was shown on an alternate cover (and popular t-shirt design) of “Love Will Tear Us Apart’s” 12-inch single.
“Very pleased to have been able to visit such a significant place in Joy Division history as part of our trip to Genoa today,” Hook wrote on Facebook for the caption under the Ribaudo tomb. “Looking forward to the sold out show this evening.” Under the photo of him next to the Appiani tomb, Hook wrote: “It was amazing to be able to visit the Staglieno cemetery today here in Genoa — this is the Appiani family tomb which was used for the cover of the Closer album… Feeling very honoured to be here & also very humbled, Ian would have loved to see this. See you later on at the gig. Love Hooky.”
The artwork for both “Love Will Tear Us Apart” and Closer (both released in 1980, the latter just two months after the suicide of Joy Division singer Ian Curtis) was designed by Factory Records’ Peter Saville, using images of the tombs taken by Bernard Pierre Wolff in 1978. The Appiani family tomb was sculpted by Demetrio Paernio around 1910, and the Ribaudo family tomb, showing a grieving angel, was sculpted by Onorato Toso around the same time.
Peter Hook And the Light played a sold-out Auditorium Porto Antico last night, part of his ongoing tours that highlights both Joy Division legacy and New Order’s early years. Earlier this month, Hook filed a lawsuit against his former band over unpaid and due royalties.
All photos via Peter Hook & The Light’s Facebook page
