Be One of Us #18 - "State of the Nation"

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There are great bands, and there are LEGENDARY bands. Which is where we are in Be One of Us, a random, 50-song countdown of songs with "of" in the title. We are at #18: "State of the Nation" by New Order (three of whom were also members of Joy Division, #19 on this countdown, and the basis for this conversation.) Truthfully, considering just how many bands of all genres there have been, how many musicians can honestly say that they were in a legendary, highly-influential band? Yes, more than a few, but now take that answer and say not one, but TWO bands that meet that criteria? Because vocalist/guitarist Bernard Sumner, bassist Peter Hook, and drummer Stephen Morris can legitimately make that claim. As 3/4's of Joy Division, the "one band" distinction was solidified, but after Joy Division vocalist Ian Curtis committed suicide, those three signed Morris' then-girlfriend (later, wife,) Gillian Gilbert, on as keyboardist/guitarist, and regrouped as New Order. And yes, New Order is truly legendary. The band wrote the blueprint for 80's alternative dance rock, and their song "Blue Monday" is the biggest-selling 12" single in history. There is, of course, a school of thought that New Order would never have happened had the troubled Curtis not hung himself. Joy Division was as dark and gloomy as Curtis' cathartic lyrics, after all. But I'm not entirely sure about that. I am of the opinion that had Ian Curtis not offed himself, it's still entirely likely that Joy Division might very well have ended up in the exact same place that New Order eventually found themselves, albeit with darker lyrics. Don't believe me? Take a moment and go listen to Joy Division's best-known song, "Love Will Tear Us Apart." Really listen to it. You can clearly hear the beginning of New Order on that tune. New Order might never have existed without the death of Ian Curtis, but musically, I find it entirely possible that Joy Division would still have ended up in the same place, sound-wise, anyway. Prove me wrong! (Info verified by Wikipedia)