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Anthony Wilson dies from cancer

by pwalmsley | August 10, 2007 at 01:32 pm

1287 views | 20 Recommendations | 6 comments

Tony Wilson, one of the greatest men in music today, passed away Friday.

This is a sad day for fans of his label, Factory Records, and the musicians he signed and promoted (Joy Division, Happy Mondays, New Order to name a few).

Some of you may recognize that name from the 2002 film '24 Hour Party People', a film centered around Wilson's life, his label, and the artists signed to it. He was played by Steve Coogan.

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 in hospital.

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Jordan Yerman

at 13:53 on August 10th, 2007

pwalmsley, thanks for getting this story out so quickly. It will now show up on the home page for four hours. If new developments justify it, I'll renew this flag for another cycle.

Susan Jones

flagged this story as Good Stuff

at 13:57 on August 10th, 2007

pwalmsley, sad but Good stuff.

Victoria Revay

flagged this story as Good Stuff

at 14:45 on August 10th, 2007

pwalmsley, thanks for this..this is sad.

clarky clark

at 16:58 on August 10th, 2007

I texted friends as soon as I heard the news. A very sad day indeed. I work for the BBC and if it hadn't been for the the influence Tony Wilson and Factory had on Manchester while I was gowing up I wouldn't be doing what I do now.

Ian Curtis, Martin Hannett, Rob Gretton and now Tony Wilson the Hacienda in Heaven is certainly partying now!