Manchester music mogul Anthony Wilson has died tonight of a heart attack.
The Factory records and Hacienda founder passed away in hospital at the age of 57. Wilson's death follows his being diagnosed with cancer last year and emergency surgery to remove a kidney in January.
After chemotherapy failed to alter the course of the disease doctors pointed him in the direction of the drug Sudent - a £3,500 per month programme that the NHS refused to bankroll.
Funds to pay for the treatment were raised by bands that Wilson had helped over the years - such as The Happy Mondays - but ultimately he was never to recover.
""Part of me, part of Manchester, part of modern British music has died tonight," lamented former Factory cohort Phil Saxe.
"Tony was a genius, basically."
Wilson's doctor at Christie hospital confirmed that his death was caused by heart attack: "It's very sad. He died as a result of something unrelated to his cancer.
"His cancer was responding well to treatment but obviously did contribute to his poor health".
Wilson's recent endeavours in the industry had been mixed in fortune, but whether Saxe's view finds consensus or not the impact the Salford-born entrepreneur's moments of vision have had on British music is surely beyond rebuke.
RIP
Anyone who writes a contract in their own blood stating that bands owned everything has got to earn peoples respect.
^
"at least I never technically sold out..."
Jesus
I didn't even know he was ill....that's pretty shocking.
His
recent cancer problems have been quite well documented. But i still feel shocked.
.
here here
wow an end of a massive chapter of music in some ways
r.i.p
My mum met him a few times
In Manc in the early 80s. Apparently a very charming and committed man who never gave up his principles. He did an unquantifiable amount for the Manchester music scene, which from what I have read, was relatively quiet before the late 1970s. The story of Factory and Hacienda is an important narrative in the development of British popular music, and his work to bring bands like Joy Division, the Stone Roses and the Happy Mondays to prominence was vital.
RIP Tony :(
.
I can't believe how saddened I am by this. I mean, Tony Wilson was a knob, and a daft cunt at that - self proclaimed - but man, he took some risks, and got results amongst the disasters. Through his bollocks and determination, my formulative years were shaped by what he had offered us all. The music and culture he made possible to be heard changed my life and for that I am eternally grateful.
^^this
.
Fuck
This is not good. Let us hope this news galvanises New Order to make another elpee before too long (but obviously not some mushy thing)
I don't care much for the music he was largely involved with
but he's got to be respected for what he did, certainly.
RIP.
^^ this
Goodnight Tony. RIP.
respect
Shit, that's a bit of a surprise!
A true maverick, eccentric and genius of the highest order
I am really saddened by this although I am sure he will be sat there now laughing that he has beaten the cancer as it wasnt that that killed him. RIP
well,
decreasing your chances of getting any dying of anything effectively increases your chances of dying of everything else, since all causes of death sum to 100% in the long run. or something. it's late, i'm drunk. RIP tony.
fuck
RIP, what a guy.
A True Pioneer
An influence on so many people involved in music - his passion for what he did still translates to today. He would have written an incredible life story. A sad loss.
RIP
aside from his inspirational musical legacy, he seemed to be a truly honourable person. A colleague of mine tried to get him to talk at an event a few months ago; he said he was ill but he was determined to recover and offered to speak for no more than his expenses (as opposed to thousands of pounds) because he believed in the cause.
Which goes to show..
in one of the many ways, what a real legend he was. I was truly truly saddened to hear this terrible news. It really is a very sad piece of news. Would have loved to have heard he was getting better.
.
Total british music legend. He desereves a bit of tribute. RIP
Tony
Having had the honour/pleasure etc of meeting Tony, not to mention the most entertaining dining experience in my life, in his company... May i suggest we all acknowledge what he did for Music lovers globally [ITC NY being one of his last], and say a huge "THANK YOU TONY!"
He is up there with Chris Blackwell, and created a blueprint for the UK music industry. He was also a hell of a guy, and we will all miss him, and know that he truly made a difference.
Roger Ames: Tony, you're fucking mad.
Tony Wilson: That's a point of view
LEGEND!!
That is sad
he had that rare ability to follow crazy plans through even if they failed miserably.
I have an urge to now watch '24 Hour Party People' once more..
one of my most favourite films ever.
RIP Tony. You did a tremendous amount for the music that I love today.
RIP
I can't add anything profound to this list, but he was arguably as influential as John Peel. Nuff said.
I'd rate
him FAR higher than Peel.
I couldn't really give a toss when peel died.
This has actually made me sad.
gutted.
am a bit lost for words.
He was a
brilliant influence on the music industry, if a little bit of a berk sometimes. ...but then sometimes I think that lack of self awareness and insistence on sticking to his own often seemingly grandiose plans in the face of frequent scepticism and piss taking were what made the man. I guess there are other less public figures around like Ivo Watts Russell at 4AD, Alan McGee at Creation and Daniel Miller at Mute who were probably equally important shapers of things to come, but none of this detracts from Wilson. RIP :-(
...
His appearences on the 'panels' or him conducting interviews with people at ITC become almost the sole reason for me attending. It got to the point where I knew some of the stuff he was saying (and he did have a tendency to go a bit self-indulgently 'off on one', as anyone who's heard him speak will be unsurprised to hear) was absolute bollocks, but never let the truth get in the way of a good story. I don't know why I enjoyed that so much - I wouldn't put up with that kind of crap from anyone else.
.
Seriously terrible news. A real loss.
RIP :(
if i were religious i'd say he can now give ian curtis a clip around the ear, but i'm not, so i won't.
The most impressive thing
is that the blokes achievements are obvious and the defining thing about him.
a lot of bands/music wouldnt sound quite the same if he hadnt bothered with music.
A terrible loss
It will take a while to completely understand his entire contribution to music and culture in the UK and the rest of the world, but, what we can say right now is we have lost a true original. My condolences to his family and friends.
i'm totally shocked
He was a genius and a dreamer, two qualities that most of the people working in the music industry today don't have or have totally lost because of the money and the charts.
Thank you for everything Tony!
^^ this
Rest in Peace.
RIP
to the boss of greatest label on earth.
poor old lad
Just heard it on the news
awful
this is so sad. Id been to the factory/hacienda exhibition in urbis friday afternoon, and thought of how much he gave manchester and influenced music, and he died that evening. what a loss
...
Walk in silence
Don't walk away in silence
See the danger, always danger
Endless talking, life rebuilding
Don't walk away
Goodnight Tony. x
A Legend!
RIP Tony.
Gutted about this
Used to think he was a cock until I found out loads more about him. Turns out he ruled.
RIP Tone.
And some
His Obit in the Telegraph is a disgrace, the London Press never liked him and I bet wherever he is he's pissing himself at their niggardly bile.
Tony Wilson had many quirks and faults but he was a good bloke and if it wasn't for him no one would have heard of Joy Division or The happy Monday and worse of all Britain's most famous club would be Stringfellows!
RIP