On September 15th, 1979, Joy Division appeared on youth television program Something Else and performed their iconic single “Transmission”.
The episode featured The Jam, Joy Division, and John Cooper Clarke, the latter of which is shown reciting his poetry while walking in Manchester, which segways into Joy Division’s live studio performance of “Transmission”. This performance was later to be used as the official music video for the song.
This was the last (and only nationally broadcast) television appearance by Joy Division, who also performed “She’s Lost Control” during the program.
Watch the entire episode below, which also features an interview segment with drummer Stephen Morris, and Factory Records Label owner Tony Wilson, where the pair ironically lament getting the band mainstream radio airplay, other than being featured on John Peel’s program on BBC Radio 1.
Bonus: Watch our animated video on “Unknown Pleasures”.
Cold winter’s journey Oh your soul keeps bleeding on Through the storm and the war…
Untie The few and far behind Interest informant redefined Form a feed within and without…
Lost in a dream again Tell me that you want me, no need to pretend…
You can’t believe what they say, they’ll treat you like a fool It hurts me…
Did you feel afraid to whisper? It’s such cold comfort but it’s real The weight…
When light has gone Snow angels will turn to grey Dark veil of our embrace…