The legendary Mancheser music impressario, TV presenter and journalist, died last night, aged 57. Wilson, co-founder of Factory records and the Hacienda nightclub, was diagnosed with cancer last year, and underwent emergency surgery in January to remove a kidney. He passed away yesterday evening at 6.05pm, in Manchester's Christie Hospital, surrounded by family.
Wilson was a driving force behind Manchester becoming the leading city of British music the last quarter of a century, first with Factory records and Joy Division and New Order, then with the Hacienda nightclub, then Happy Mondays and the Madchester explosion, and in latter years with In The City music convention. The vision, ethos and aesthetics of Factory inspired generations of Mancunians and on a wider scale changed the face of the British independent music scene. Always thoroughly engaging company, Wilson wholeheartedly believed that 'the idea of the city as an attractive and vibrant place to be begins with rock'n'roll,' as he once enthused to me. It was Wilson, Factory, Joy Division, New Order, The Hacienda et al whom did this for Manchester. Wilson's infectious excess of civic pride spread across the city and emboldened a generation. Always individual and outspoken, sometimes ridiculous, a truly inspirational figure in an industry so often devoid of character, he will be sorely missed.
See this Sunday's Observer for Paul Morley's tribute.
