Anthony Wilson, the music mogul behind some of Manchester's most successful bands, has died of cancer.
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 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.
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 in hospital.
He passed away on Friday evening at the Christie Hospital surrounded by family.
Doctors 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.
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.
Part of me, part of Manchester, part of modern British music has died tonight Phil Saxe
Part of me, part of Manchester, part of modern British music has died tonight Phil Saxe
"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.
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.
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.
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.
"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 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".
"He helped them realise their dreams and through that probably realised himself to be Mr Manchester".
'An inspiration'
'An inspiration'
BBC journalist Kristan Deconinck sought advice from him in the early 1980s on how to launch an independent record label shortly after Wilson had started Factory records.
BBC journalist Kristan Deconinck sought advice from him in the early 1980s on how to launch an independent record label shortly after Wilson had started Factory records.
"He couldn't have been more helpful and more patient," Kristan said.
"He couldn't have been more helpful and more patient," Kristan said.
"He inspired me - and countless others - to have a go if you believed in something.
"He inspired me - and countless others - to have a go if you believed in something.
"That in itself is a great legacy, apart from the vision he had with his label, his shows, his attitude - his contribution to a new culture.
"That in itself is a great legacy, apart from the vision he had with his label, his shows, his attitude - his contribution to a new culture.
"When I later met him, I found him far more amenable than scurrilous rumours had led me to believe and my esteem for the guy never diminished."
"When I later met him, I found him far more amenable than scurrilous rumours had led me to believe and my esteem for the guy never diminished."
'Soundtrack of my life'
Speaking before his death, Wilson reflected on life and death.
"I used to joke in my early 50s that I'd had such a fantastic life, I'd be happy to die," he said.
"And then suddenly, I find some other reasons for living and just like get excited again about life when it comes along. So that was slightly annoying. I think I was a lord of my own presumption for thinking I'd be happy to die".
Tributes to Anthony Wilson have been flooding in from across the globe - both from people who had worked with him and those who had enjoyed the entertainment he brought to the world.
Lewis Hart, from Hyde, Greater Manchester, wrote: "A one off who was an ambassador for Manchester. A huge shock."
Another fan, Ross Burton, from Annapolis, Maryland, in the USA, summed up his many achievements with a poignant eulogy: "Thanks Tony for helping to bring me the soundtrack of my life. Rest in peace mate."
Your memories and tributes to Anthony Wilson
Your memories and tributes to Anthony Wilson
I guested on Tony's 'Ground Rules' show on BBC Radio Manchester a couple of times so I only got to know him personally fairly recently. It's not a great shock I have to admit, but our great city has lost a true, true legend. I'm gutted tonight. He was a real gentleman and a lot of people have a lot to thank him for. RIP Tony.Simon Smedley, Chadderton, nr Manchester
I guested on Tony's 'Ground Rules' show on BBC Radio Manchester a couple of times so I only got to know him personally fairly recently. It's not a great shock I have to admit, but our great city has lost a true, true legend. I'm gutted tonight. He was a real gentleman and a lot of people have a lot to thank him for. RIP Tony.Simon Smedley, Chadderton, nr Manchester
Like John Peel, Tony Wilson is a huge loss to the world. Craig Hunter
Like John Peel, Tony Wilson is a huge loss to the world. Craig Hunter
In the early 80's I was a DJ at a fairly well known club in Burnley running a succesful alternative night. I'm guessing - prior to setting up the Hacienda - Tony did the rounds of the clubs as part of his research. We chatted about 'A Certain Ratio' one of his less well known bands who had a popular track "Shack up" at the time. He came across as a guy who really enjoyed the music scene, he had no edge and was just interested in what was going on at the time. For me he was tremendously influential in shaping much of the music we now take for granted. I think his drive and enthusiasm will be sadly missed.Mark R, Cumbria, UK
In the early 80's I was a DJ at a fairly well known club in Burnley running a succesful alternative night. I'm guessing - prior to setting up the Hacienda - Tony did the rounds of the clubs as part of his research. We chatted about 'A Certain Ratio' one of his less well known bands who had a popular track "Shack up" at the time. He came across as a guy who really enjoyed the music scene, he had no edge and was just interested in what was going on at the time. For me he was tremendously influential in shaping much of the music we now take for granted. I think his drive and enthusiasm will be sadly missed.Mark R, Cumbria, UK
Tony Wilson was a visionary who had an impact on everyone he met. When I worked with him and Yvette (his partner) on "In The City" a few years ago, the thing that struck me was how many people around the world genuinely loved him. He was a maverick who brought a spark of genius to the music industry. The era of the Hacienda and Factory Records was surely the ignition source for the cultural renaissance we have witnessed in Manchester over the last 20 years. Tony was a one-off and will be sadly missed.Philip Coen, Manchester
Tony Wilson was a visionary who had an impact on everyone he met. When I worked with him and Yvette (his partner) on "In The City" a few years ago, the thing that struck me was how many people around the world genuinely loved him. He was a maverick who brought a spark of genius to the music industry. The era of the Hacienda and Factory Records was surely the ignition source for the cultural renaissance we have witnessed in Manchester over the last 20 years. Tony was a one-off and will be sadly missed.Philip Coen, Manchester
Thanks Tony for helping to bring me the soundtrack of my life. Rest in peace mate.Ross Burton, Annapolis, USA
Thanks Tony for helping to bring me the soundtrack of my life. Rest in peace mate.Ross Burton, Annapolis, USA
I was lucky enough to meet Tony a few times and even interviewed him in 95 for the Big Issue. Next to John Peel he's been one of the biggest influences on my life. I'm gutted, it's a sad day for ManchesterIain, Stretford
I was lucky enough to meet Tony a few times and even interviewed him in 95 for the Big Issue. Next to John Peel he's been one of the biggest influences on my life. I'm gutted, it's a sad day for ManchesterIain, Stretford
I worked with Tony Wilson at Granada in the 70s and I must confess to having the biggest crush on him at the time! He was never anything but a gentleman towards me, and was always fun to be around. I was very sad to read of his passing and will miss him dearly.Carolyn, Texas, USA
I worked with Tony Wilson at Granada in the 70s and I must confess to having the biggest crush on him at the time! He was never anything but a gentleman towards me, and was always fun to be around. I was very sad to read of his passing and will miss him dearly.Carolyn, Texas, USA
I was in the audience of 'So It Goes' when Tony had on Peter Cook, a jazz group called the 'Bowles Brothers' and a new group called 'The Sex Pistols'. The audience didn't even applaud at the end of their song, but it showed that Tony saw the future of punk music. He was not afraid to give new music a chance. He will be sadly missed.Bob Slater, Stockport, England
I was in the audience of 'So It Goes' when Tony had on Peter Cook, a jazz group called the 'Bowles Brothers' and a new group called 'The Sex Pistols'. The audience didn't even applaud at the end of their song, but it showed that Tony saw the future of punk music. He was not afraid to give new music a chance. He will be sadly missed.Bob Slater, Stockport, England
As a photographer working for the local paper, I met Tony on my first ever day on the job. He took time out to find out where I was from and genuinly cared about making sure I got the shot I wanted. A really nice bloke who put the music back into Manchester all those years back. He will be sadly missed by all his friends in the north. A unique bloke.Steve Holt, Bury Lancashire
As a photographer working for the local paper, I met Tony on my first ever day on the job. He took time out to find out where I was from and genuinly cared about making sure I got the shot I wanted. A really nice bloke who put the music back into Manchester all those years back. He will be sadly missed by all his friends in the north. A unique bloke.Steve Holt, Bury Lancashire
I worked with Tony at Granada Television; he presented a series of Granada's political programme 'The Sunday Supplement' which I produced. I can honestly say he was a joy to work with and a thoroughly professional journalist, as well as being very intelligent and very astute. He epitomises the level of professionalism in British television that is sadly dwindling as the industry is dumbed down by the bean counters and the celebrity culture that seems to be rampant. Tony will be sadly missed by all who have ever worked with him, and I am privileged to count myself among them. Peter Berry, Birkenhead
I worked with Tony at Granada Television; he presented a series of Granada's political programme 'The Sunday Supplement' which I produced. I can honestly say he was a joy to work with and a thoroughly professional journalist, as well as being very intelligent and very astute. He epitomises the level of professionalism in British television that is sadly dwindling as the industry is dumbed down by the bean counters and the celebrity culture that seems to be rampant. Tony will be sadly missed by all who have ever worked with him, and I am privileged to count myself among them. Peter Berry, Birkenhead
I met AHW for the first time at my Graduation Ceremony in the Bridgewater Hall in Manchester several years ago. He was there to receive and honorary degree from the OU and after making a speech, he had the thankless task of shaking the hands of all the graduands. After collecting my degree on the stage I shook him by the hand and thanked him for giving us the the Hacienda. He smiled at me and later nodded his head at me when I returned to my seat in the hall. I think it helped relieve his boredom and probably also fed his ego. RIP.Darran Clarke, Manchester, England
I met AHW for the first time at my Graduation Ceremony in the Bridgewater Hall in Manchester several years ago. He was there to receive and honorary degree from the OU and after making a speech, he had the thankless task of shaking the hands of all the graduands. After collecting my degree on the stage I shook him by the hand and thanked him for giving us the the Hacienda. He smiled at me and later nodded his head at me when I returned to my seat in the hall. I think it helped relieve his boredom and probably also fed his ego. RIP.Darran Clarke, Manchester, England
A one off who was an ambassador for Manchester. A huge shock. How sad that the 24 hr party has ended!Lewis Hart, Hyde
A one off who was an ambassador for Manchester. A huge shock. How sad that the 24 hr party has ended!Lewis Hart, Hyde
Did you ever meet or work with Anthony Wilson? What are your memories of him? You can send us your memories and tributes using the form below:
Did you ever meet or work with Anthony Wilson? What are your memories of him? You can send us your memories and tributes using the form below:
