king mob
08-10-2007, 05:36 PM
I am utterly, totally fucking gutted. I was texted the news tonight & didn't believe it until I rolled home just now I read an email with this link (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/manchester/6941392.stm)in it.
Anthony Wilson, the music mogul behind some of Manchester's most successful bands, has died of cancer.
The Salford-born entrepreneur, who founded Factory records, the label behind New Order and the Happy Mondays, was diagnosed last year.
The 57-year-old, also famous for setting up the Hacienda nightclub, underwent emergency surgery in January to remove a kidney.
He passed away on Friday evening at the Christie Hospital surrounded by family.
A spokesman for the hospital said: "Tony Wilson died peacefully at the Christie Hospital at 6.05pm this evening with his family by his bedside.
"Tony was a very great supporter of the Christie and this is extremely sad news.
"We would like to extend our sympathy to Tony's family."
Doctors had recommended he take the drug Sutent after chemotherapy failed to beat the disease, but the NHS refused to fund the £3,500-a-month treatment.
However, members of the Happy Mondays and other acts he supported over the years stepped in and started a fund to help pay for it.
His vision and determination played a key role in helping to put Manchester on the map for its music and vibrant nightlife and his entrepreneurial skills inspired people everywhere.
Phil Saxe, who used to work at Factory Records with Wilson, said: "Part of me, part of Manchester, part of modern British music has died tonight.
"Tony was a genius, basically.
"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 realise their dreams and through that probably realised himself to be Mr Manchester".
Anyone who saw 24 Hour Party People will get a shorthand version of what Wilson (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tony_Wilson) did; anyone who knew more will know that (Wilson being a bit of a cunt aside) this is as sad a passing as John Peel in 2004.
He gave us Joy Division, New Order, (and the 12 inch single) Happy Mondays. He was a reporter in ITV's Golden Age before ratings & popularity became the rule. What more can one say? Of course there was the Hacienda, but that's another story, but there wasn't anywhere in the UK like it since, or now.
So, ta for everything Wilson. Especially the Mondays.
Anthony Wilson, the music mogul behind some of Manchester's most successful bands, has died of cancer.
The Salford-born entrepreneur, who founded Factory records, the label behind New Order and the Happy Mondays, was diagnosed last year.
The 57-year-old, also famous for setting up the Hacienda nightclub, underwent emergency surgery in January to remove a kidney.
He passed away on Friday evening at the Christie Hospital surrounded by family.
A spokesman for the hospital said: "Tony Wilson died peacefully at the Christie Hospital at 6.05pm this evening with his family by his bedside.
"Tony was a very great supporter of the Christie and this is extremely sad news.
"We would like to extend our sympathy to Tony's family."
Doctors had recommended he take the drug Sutent after chemotherapy failed to beat the disease, but the NHS refused to fund the £3,500-a-month treatment.
However, members of the Happy Mondays and other acts he supported over the years stepped in and started a fund to help pay for it.
His vision and determination played a key role in helping to put Manchester on the map for its music and vibrant nightlife and his entrepreneurial skills inspired people everywhere.
Phil Saxe, who used to work at Factory Records with Wilson, said: "Part of me, part of Manchester, part of modern British music has died tonight.
"Tony was a genius, basically.
"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 realise their dreams and through that probably realised himself to be Mr Manchester".
Anyone who saw 24 Hour Party People will get a shorthand version of what Wilson (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tony_Wilson) did; anyone who knew more will know that (Wilson being a bit of a cunt aside) this is as sad a passing as John Peel in 2004.
He gave us Joy Division, New Order, (and the 12 inch single) Happy Mondays. He was a reporter in ITV's Golden Age before ratings & popularity became the rule. What more can one say? Of course there was the Hacienda, but that's another story, but there wasn't anywhere in the UK like it since, or now.
So, ta for everything Wilson. Especially the Mondays.