Tributes paid to Anthony Wilson
August 20, 2007 by Mitch
Filed under Indie Music Blog
Anthony Wilson, the Manchester musical legend and the founder of Factory Records died on the 10th of August. He was 57 years old and died of Cancer. Anthony Wilson was the man behind the success of several bands in Manchester. Anthony Wilson passed away on Friday evening. Last year, Wilson was diagnosed for Kidney cancer, and had undergone an emergency surgery to remove a kidney, in January.
Wilson, born in Salford as often been dubbed as ‘Mr. Manchester’. He was often referred to as the mastermind of Manchester’s music industry. Wilson started out as a broadcaster, but he managed to influence almost every aspect of the music industry. His influence was not limited only to the music scene in Manchester but extended even to the wider UK music scene. In fact the bands New Order and Happy Mondays were launched by Factory Records. He was also responsible for the launch of Hacienda nightclub.
Phil Saxe who worked at Factory Records with Anthony Wilson had this to say while glorifying the greatness of Wilson,
"Part of me, part of Manchester, part of modern British music has died tonight. I really don’t know what to say. Tony was a genius, basically. I know people say he wasn’t a great businessman, but they’re missing the point. He was a visionary in that he helped bands, who otherwise wouldn’t have made it, who were a bit out of the ordinary. He helped them realize their dreams and through that probably realized himself to be Mr. Manchester".
Stephen Morris had this to say while he paid his tribute to Wilson, "New Order wouldn’t have came to be what they are without Tony and the Factory Record label because he was very passionate about music and he believed the band should have total freedom. He was I think, the only person in the music industry that didn’t believe in contracts. You’d see him do deals with record companies and the whole thing was done on the back of his hand. You could literally do what you want."
Anthony Wilson was truly a great icon and had inspired many around the world. Hundreds have paid tribute to ‘Mr. Manchester’, and his loss has certainly come as a massive blow to both Manchester and its music industry.
In many ways Wilson was underrated until his untimely death.
He loved the Manchester music scene and was key to many of the great bands that came out of it, as well as the Hacienda.
I was too young to really appreciate it but I do love some the bands that he helped to nurture such as Joy Division, New Order and some the lesser known on Factory records.
Ah. I didn’t really know much about Anthony Wilson; I suppose I’m way too Americanocentric and not really very aware of what other indie musicians exist outside the borders of the USA.
What I am painfully aware of, sadly, is the disease that killed Wilson at a premature age of 57. My best pal from school days, Richard, died of cancer this past June…he had been diagnosed with kidney cancer last year, and he had been operated for that…but the cancer came back and spread all over his body until he had no more energy and took him.
My condolences, if somewhat belated, go to Anthony Wilson’s friends, family, and fans.