News and Interviews

Pay your tributes to Anthony Wilson

denis lynch
l would like to thank tony for making our city the greatest city in the world. the hacienda was the first club l went too. l remember how cool the hac looked , and we would see tony helping himself behind the bar .will be sadly missed mr.manchester from a proud manc

Anthony
He WAS mr granada reports! A great person for our region and always warm and friendly on the telly, sorry to see you go.

gloria ravn - denmark
Manchester will never be the same without you. Such a dedicated guy who loved this city with so much passion. Thank you very much for every thing

Héctor From Argentina
Te extrañaremos, desde la ida de Ian Curtis y Martin H., que no se sentía un golpe tan duro; extrañaremos al creador de la Hacienda y su gusto musical...Una lastima...

Jan
I worked with Tony in the mid 80s on a series of live careers programmes. I hadn't a clue who he was and he never commented on his achievements. All I can say is he was kind and encouraging to me, and was incredibly professional in holding the show together. It's very sad that someone with such energy has died so young.

Tony
He had a unique voice a voice easy to listen to.

Dave Harris
I cannot say I knew him, but I know of his enthusiasm and love of music and his tireless work in promoting who he believed in. A man that spoke his mind regardless if what he wanted to say was likely to offend. Will be missed in the same way we miss John Peel, for just being a good man of music.

Virginia Tandy, Director, Manchester City Gallerie
Tony Wilson was a great supporter of Manchester Art Gallery and played a key role in the development of our work on the history of the city. He was generous with his praise when we re-opened. We will really miss his stimulating contribution to the cultural life of the city. Our thoughts are with his family at this sad time.

Ian - Liverpool
Although Tony always held Manchester closest to his heart, he was indeed every North West town & city's champion and we are all the richer for it. Thankyou.I will miss him greatly - and as an (ageing) club goer and bedroom Dj, I owe him a massive debt of gratitude for his pioneering and bring dance music to the ears and streets of the UK to what we enjoy today.You're a gentleman, a scholar and a top Mancunian.In heaven you will be higher than you could dream of. God bless.

Spooky Ben, Warrington
Goodbye and god bless to a life changing individual to many people. I shed a tear when I heard. To have such an effect can only prove the living legend that was (and no doubt will carry on to be). Take care Tony and may you live on in peoples hearts for ever more. RIP Tony Wilson, Never grew old, just ran out of time.

Nick, Sydney
Deeply sad news. We say goodbye to an era and a pioneer. When 'Indie' meant Independent and alternative - not a marketing niche and genre. Where are today's Tony Wilson's?

ted
sorry to see you go mate

Susan Wait
To Mr Manchester what a sad lost for Manchester, you will be missed so much.

Kevin Wood.......Jarzinio
When I thought of Manchester I thought of what Benjamin Disraeli said of Manchester.Now I think of what he said but more importantly what Anthony H Wilson actually did for Manchester.Legendary club,legendary bands, legandary man.Thanks for the memoriesMr ManchesterOnelove

hacienda woman
As Cleopatra said about her Mark Antony "Out lamp is spent, it's out"

Dave Tyrrell
At one time it seemed like every group I loved was either on Factory or based here. He deserves to be remembered for promoting the Durutti Column alone.RIP AHW

Kate Hulme ( Manc in America)
Being born and bread in Manchester,i have always been proud to say where i am from. All proud Mancs owe alot of that pride to Tony Wilson. He was the man behind the club, the bands, and so many other things i probably don't even know about. He helped make the City what it is today and for that Manchester will always be grateful. I am. I raise my glass to you Mr Wilson, although i never met you, i will always be grateful to you.

Gwen Crawford
Just wanted to add to the tributes to Tony - an amazing visionary not only in music, but in the regeneration of Manchester and the region. He is a sad loss and could have done much more had he lived. His humour, intelligence and maverick spirit have come to represent what is brilliant about our city. I strongly agree that a street should be named after him but also a music venue. He believed in giving unknown bands an opportunity to get themselves heard. How appropriate for some sort of music grant or bursary award to be named after him and a fund set up to administer annual awards. RIP Tony - party on.

Spankys Magic Piano
As a 41 year old Mancunian myself, I have grown up with Tony Wilson from Granada Reports to Up Front to Factory to the Hac. He will be missed and if anyone will always be associated with Manchester it's Mr Anthony H Wilson.

Paul Woodall
What a STAR,he will be sadly Missed

poplunaire from Paris
All the things he did; it was for your love of Manchester and Mancunians..."Walk in silence..."R.I.P. Tony

Joanne - Salford
Thankyou for giving us some of the best music in the 90's. And also for making manchester a cool place to be around. Rest in peace adn create some funky clubs in the sky!

paul griffin-mclean
thank you for giving me factory records - the music from your label has inspired me to this very day and i'll be forever in your debt for the musical pleasure that it has given me - riplemoncholy

Dave
Heaven seems quite appealing now you are up there with Ian, Rob and Martin.God Bless you sir!

Beatrice. Liverpool
If you grew up in the North West in the 70's and 80's you knew who Tony Wilson was. He was just omnipresent really. So sad that he has gone...but never forgotten x

Kate, Manchester
I will always remember being 15 years old and walking out of the cinema having watched 24 Hour Party People and turning to my friend and saying "For the first time in my life I feel amazingly proud to be from Manchester!" That is how watching a film of his life and being introduced to the music he had championed made me feel. Proud. Now every morning I pass what was the Hacienda on my way to work and every day without fail I feel that exact same pride. Manchester is a beautiful, amazing, creative melting pot, capable of whatever it sets its heart too and Tony Wilson made me truely appreciate that. His Mancunian pride will live on in all of us, forever. x

Steve Flanagan
I met Tony when I was launching the Manchester Music Fly in 1996. I went to his offices to ask if he would become a writer for us on the monthly free music paper. After a long chat, he agreed to write one piece for me in the very first edition. I then had to chase him with at least 50 phone calls to produce the promised piece. I had produced a dummy copy promising his contribution and sent it to advertisers. Anyway I missed a good few deadlines before it arrived "out of the blue" one day through my fax machine. In spite of this I thought he was a one off person and a massive influence on the music scene in Manchester. I think his contribution was almost as big as his ego, but not quite! I was and am deeply saddened by his un timely death and I know that he had a very kind heart dispite the play acting.

steve bridgeman
I have a few memories of Tony Wilson, I think that most people who spent any time in Manchester city centre would have as he stood out like a sore thumb. The first time I met him was as a child in 1976 at Granada studios. He was wearing cowboy boots and a cravat (this was his look in the seventies)He had time for me and my brother even thought lots of people were demanding his attention. In the late eighties-early 90's he used to drive around Manchester in a pimped out British racing green Jag. He was a familiar sight in the city centre in his British Knight's trainers and Comme De Garcons suits. Anybody who visited the Hacienda would be greeted by a large black and white portrait of him with a slightly smug expression (and rightly so). He once said "The reason we set up Factory Records was so we didn't have to work with a bunch of ****s from London!"City life once ran a series of covers of great Manchester band 'frontmen'Ian Brown, Morrissey, Shaun Ryder, Bernard Sumner and Ian Curtis. I asked him about this and he was totally unaware of it but was very excited that 60% were from his bands. When I mentioned Bernard Sumners name he said "Oh God no.. not Sumner, he's far too post modern!" "It would have to be Ian..Curtis, without a doubt."I once saw him walking through St Anns Sq clutching a huge quantity of bags containing expensive clothing. He was on the phone chatting to somebody, he said "People say to me "Tony you have a mad life" and I do have a mad life." This was pure Wilson!Anybody who ever met him could tell straight away that he didn't take himself too seriously and much of his cultivated persona was an act, a very entertaining act.He was proud Mancunian and did more for our city than any other individual I can think of. A part of our city has gone forever.

GD
God bless you, Mr Wilson. thank you for changing music, manchester and minds. you helped shape history and the world will be a poorer place without you.

Dunc
I used to see Tony walking his dog William thru Castlefield on many occasion and even tho we never had a pint together or a proper chat, he would always exchange a few words. As a proud Mancunian, having the chance to meet 'Mr Manchester' was a great honour.Completely gutted he's gone.RIP Tony

Jo Carlon
Tony Wilson made it possible for me to remember my youth with a smile. My earliest clubbing nights were thanks to Tony Wilson, he also lived local to me and i met him on a number of occiasions. He produced a legend although at the time he didnt know it. Granada Upfront was excellent too with Lucy Meecock. I am saddened by his death.

Stuart Thompson
Thank You Tony

Glen
A true Manchester icon, will be sadly missed. RIP

ferguson doyle
He was a great chap who did loads for the region but we often forget that he was a Salford born lad. I do not see any mention of Salford in your references to Tony.

Lou, Manchester
Let's start an annual music festival for Manchester's up and coming bands, as a memorial to Tony. Infinitely more fitting than a lump of stone in Albert Square!

Tracey Walker
He was a true genius and maverick who did more for manchester and its music scene than anyone else before or since.we wont see his kind again

richard n
Mr Manchester. Thank you for allowing my youth to have a great sound track. You were and are an inspiration.

Dedo
You irritated me at times, but you also gave me inspiration. I remember sitting with you in the Old School, many a drunken GTV/GST night. But whatever people thought of you as a person, what NO ONE can ever take away is how much you did for Manchester. This great city has lost one of its biggest voices, and staunch campiagners for it's vibrant culture (much of which you kick-started). A great loss. Rest in Peace. x

Callum
The Music, The Spirit, The City. And what a City you helped create; Im a Proud Mancunian.Thanks Tony

Dean Hepburn
I was very saddened to hear this news. My favourite band is New Order, I grew up on them and I feel Tony Wilson was a big part of the whole equation. He "was" Factory Records. I heard "Atmosphere" by Joy Division being played on the news for him... I had a lump in my throat..RIP Tony, thank you

Susana Rodrigues
Thank you for the music! Thank you for the Madchester!RIP

Michael Dooley, Leicestershire
Your genious work in the music industry has bought me so much pleasure in my life. Rest in Peace

Peter, Manchester
It is always very sad when someone dies, and my sympathies go out to his partner Yvette, but can we put something into perspective here amongst the hype, he was just a journalist, a broadcaster, and someone who happened to be around at the right time, and brought to our attention the things that changed our lives. He was not royalty, a head of state, but people are talking about Memorials, Flags at half mast, Public Holidays. I'm sure he would have found all that, amusing, even comical.Let's keep it real people, he has his place in Mancunian folklore, let's celebrate the achievements, arrange a gig and have a few drinks, and remember the legacy left behind.Rest in Peace.

T J Copsey
Always hated, always loved, Antony H Wilson helped make Manchester the most vital city in Europe - as for music, well there's nothing left to add.

Rob 666
What a star. Not only did create my fav group New Order, but also Manto and Paradise factory, my earliest drinking haunts. Gutted he's gone but am not gonna be unhappy, Tony wouldn't want anyone miserable :) x

Nikki, Salford
Tony thank you so much you did for Manchester, especially Salford. You gave us the belief that we could be more than just factory slogs.

Kish
New York City had Steve Rubell and Studio 54. Manchester had Tony Wilson and The Haçienda.Thanks for the party. Will never forget. Love to Martin and Ian.

Paul thompson
More than anything else, Despite the wonder of Joy Division and the Mondays and So it Goes, Tony Wilson's attitude is something I've always found inspirational, He's a one off, irreplaceable!

Martin
As I strolled through the streets of Manchester, roughly 2 years ago, a very familiar trenchcoated figure walked by. I felt very honoured to have shared the pavement with such a legend. God bless you Tony.

Carlos Pereira
RIP Tony

Doreen O,Neill
We will all sadley AnthonyWilson, has died. What sadness I felt the man who was an inspation to all and gave so much of himself to his city and music Manchester has lost a great brother today love Dee xxx

Anna
I was a student in Manchester from 1987 and the things that Tony Wilson played such a key part in were so important to me - the music, The Hacienda, the pride that he insisted everyone felt in the City. I've never met him, but he has always come across as such a genuine person. Enthusiasm, intelligence, energy, humour and enough daring to take chances when no-one else did. He'll be missed.

Steve Cunio
Much respect to a great man.. he was an amazing example to us all of the meaning of philanthropy.. and without him Madchester would never have been. Peacexx

Shih-Lun CHANG from TAIWAN
Thanks Tony for all the great music. They changed my life forever.

Michael Saunders, Southport
Will not be replaced easily.Not only has Manchester has lost a loyal ambassador but the whole of Lancashire from the Lakes to the Mersey.

steve walton
thanx tony you were a one off r.ip x x x x

Ged P
I remember him from school- clever git then; a fine actor and excellent debater. A true son of Salford

Bruce
Thankyou for the music!RIP

Ian H Byrne from Poole, Dorset.
You have been there all along from the begining I felt I new you. You will be missed.Thanks for the music.

Richie Buxton
you were a pioneer for music and an inspiration to many. despite your dislike of the football clubs here, you held our city in high esteem and you're probably the only mancunian i hold in high esteem.god bless mr manchester

Dave R, Los Angeles.
God bless you Tony. Thanks for the music of my life. Old Trafford has just lost one of its gratest supporters, and Manchester has lost its greatest citizen. Rest in Peace.

David
Music is my escapism and Salford my home. Thanks for everything you've done for both of them. Rest in peace.

Bill Garrett
I was lucky enough as a young researcher to work with Tony Wilson at Granda and as a student who'd grown up listening to Joy Division and New Order it was like working with a god. He turned out to be a very down to earth kind of god. Manchester and music is richer as a result of his efforts...a very sad day.

Andrew Parker
To say i am devastated is an understatement. I have never felt this much grief for somebody i have never met. Tony Wilson made Manchester centre of the world. His constant passion for Manchester and it's music scene was relentless and he always entertained us. I grew up watching him on Granada Reports and have since enjoyed many, very interesting programmes about Manchester and the north west. His passing will leave a massive whole for the people of Manchester.God bless Tony!! R.I.P.

Daniel
Thank you collection would of been poorer without your vision.

Jonathan, Manchester
He was a genius and we all owe him so much. Always proud of Manchester, but never uncritical, we have lost one of our greatest ambassadors

Clive McCarthy, Lincoln
Goodnight Tony, God bless, We all have to leave studio some time, you have left sooner than expected.X

Mark Davies
Anthony was an inspiration to me during a formative time in my life. From Factory records to "The Other Side of Midnight" the the Hacienda, his positive influence was there. My world and my life are better because of him. Thank you Tony.

MOE
THANKS TONY FOR THE HAPPY MONDAYS + HACIENDA GODBLESS LOLXXXXXXXX

Maff
Heard the news having a cig outside Troff in Town on Friday night. Strangers all raised a glass to him and everyone had a story to tell.. we had all come accross him in person at some point, however brief. A mancunian legend.

Scott Campbell
The influential reach of Mr. Wilson cannot be overplayed. He helped this kid from the cow country of California realize what it means to "DO IT YOURSELF"

dave frears melbourne
god bless tony, thanks for the music and memories . rest in peace

Vanessa
I'd choose the legend, too.RIP TonyYou will be sadly missed.

David, Coventry
Tony, you will be missed. A True Gent. RIP.

Warren
Thank you Tony, you will be sorely missed

Phil Lodge
A Great Man who did great things for a great city, peace Tony

Phil Lodge
A Great Man who did great things for a great city, peace Tony

Helen
Gutted. The end of an unbelievable era.

DJ Shred
Thank you Tony for all the great music. Your spirit will live on in the music and I will be a part of that. X, DJ Shred

Jake Williams
And so it goes, and so it goes....Thanks for allowing me to come of age to such a bloody good soundtrack. Top bloke Tony...Thanks

Sylvia , Withington
An earthquake rocked sth manchester on the day you died Tony-I'm sure you cringe in mock horror to hear how much you were loved. What can we do to keep the legacy alive?

e
As important to Manchester as the Ship Canal itself. It will never be the same without you.

Tommy C
God bless Tony Wilson. He was a great visonary, my love and pride for manchester is so much stronger thanks to him, a true son of Manchester. He will be sorely missed.Rest in Peace.

Pat
Thanks for the music and the life. Love you Tony - Rest in peace and let light perpetual shine upon youxxxxxxxx

Stephen Nuttall
Bravo Tony, you did us all proud.

Ian, wakefield
All the factory bands were really popular in Yorkshire and if it wasn't for Tony I wouldn't even have thought of being in a band myself or having an alternative life to working in a factory ironically enough. A really great bloke. Bless him.

R STEVIE MOORE
A VERY HIGH IMPACT HUMAN, NOW BACK WITH HANNETT ONCE AGAIN!

Andy K
Tony, you were the greatest. Thank you for everything. Rest in peace.

M Thirkell
My only encounter with Tony Wilson was at the auction of the hacienda. He signed a plank from the nightclub floor, which was kind a nice.Great man, great legend and without him there wouldn't have been any unknown pleasures.

Tommaso
You'll be remembered even abroad of the uk.Thank you so much for what you've for the music.RIP and God bless you.

John
He never forgot Manchester, Manchester will never forget himPeace and Praxis

Gaz W. 051
It was as if the task in hand was something thatwould always come good. Nothing was too much, if it meant pushing forward the development of the Manchester scene.Just goes to show how far a passion can take you.Rip Tony.

david lyes
A note from an admiring Southerner,simply a legend.Any person aged 35+ with a penchant for popular music,nightlfe,culture owes this man a "thank you".Not just a Mancunian legend,but a modern British legend.RIP TONY

John C
A true son of Manchester. Tony helped to shape the Manchester's image with the younger generations. Top man with a great intellect.

Richie
To use a quote first applied to Sir Christopher Wren; if you want to see his monument, look around"....at the stacks of tracks in the record racks, at the DJ Culture, the rise and rise of "Indie" music...Tony Wilson gave us all so much and took so little in return - mainly because of his hopeless business sense!God bless you Tony, Manchester - and the world - is a lesser place without you.The Hacienda must be rebuilt.

Aron Hurst-Wilson
People come and in our lives but big people live on forever - Tony Wilson started a legacy that will live longer than any of us. May he rest in peace.

A Smith
A genuine Madchester marvel. The music scene would never have developed in the way it did with Tony Wilson.

fiona garside
to a man who's passion was music i shared the passion "the hacienda was built" and within the hacienda and the passion i also found my husband and future family from 1986 a letter from a friend would change my destiny "on the back of a hurricane that started turning" when i was young. cheers tony where would the world be without us

Andrew, Manchester
"Most of all I love Manchester.....that is my heroic flaw, my excess of civic pride" ....Manchester loved you too Tony. Goodbye and God bless

Elan
passion for music...and his CityRIP

simon garside
from the other side of the world just heard the news he was a great manc and gave me some of the greatest nights of my life without the hacienda manchester would be a different place god bless tony wilson rave on.

MARK BUDGEN
like many people,TONY gave me the perfect soundtrack of my life.R.I.P mate!

Andy Roberts
The things this man has achieved for manchester are fantastic - I am truly gutted-Thanks Tony! RIP

Jay McCreary
Today is a day of sorrow and change in the city of Manchester. I worked with Tony on his recent Talk of The Town shows on Saturday mornings on BBC Radio Manchester for over a year until he became too ill to do them. I was his tech-op, driving his outside broadcast desk from the Cornerhouse every week. At the end of every show without fail, he would come over and shake my hand and thank me, before leaving. He was a true gent, one of the finest and most sincere people who remained in broadcasting. I will always remember him for that. He fought the fight of Manchester and made us stand out. I suppose we have to now continue where he left it, because no one person will ever take his place. As he said at the end of almost every show, we should "keep the faith." My thoughts go out to Yvette, and his two children who I only know as "Olly" and "Izzy." You are lucky to have had such a great and generous man in your lives. Finally, Tony always stuck by one rule, and I loved the way it was reinforced. He always said "All our bands have the freedom to..." which was not only unique, but is one of the things he will always be remembered for, especially by the wide variety of music acts he helped support and give birth to. Well Tony has that freedom now. And I'm just sorry it happened so early in his life. If you're not sure what I'm talking about, or how Tony's sentence should end, then in the words of the great man himself "you should probably read more." We will all miss you, Tony. Rest peacefully, farewell.

Alan
RIP Tony, thanks for everything!

chris w
i met tony a couple times when he hosted a game show i was on, great man, time for everyone, a visionary, a one of a kind, sadly missed.

Julie M.
He was an important figure on tv as when I was a repressed teenager in the mid seventies, he brought something very new and exciting to my attention, and I don't think I personally would be as culturally aware as I am today without his valuable efforts. It's a great shame he's gone.

Matt Bennett
He had such a big influence on me as a late teen, the music I loved (new order), the tv show I stayed up late to watch (other side of midnight) and the place I used to go dancing (Hacienda, Thursday nights). His influence cannot be measured, but music all across the world is and will continue to be influenced by his legacy.

Paul Moore
Tony brought an immense amount to the young people of Manchester & Salford through the music he created. The Hac has gone and now so has Tony, but the memories will never fade.

Jeff Lynne
The Electric Light Orchestra shines ever brighter this morning.

catherine woodcock
As a young person growing up in the 80's I was somewhat of a new romantic, then I discovered the Hacienda, saw the smiths there and madonna and it changed my world forever-tony was a cool bloke, and I like his attitude esp when he was debating-RIP Tony-Mr Manchester. xx

sean
A truly sad night for manchester and its people...but we remember with joy and pride the music and the memories.

katharine foster
Its a sad sad night for the most amazing city of Manchester.The man helped me through my student days and showed me a belief in a city that most had forgotten. He was like a father, many tears will be shed in his honor....your a true legend. Thankyou Sir Wilson for giving me hope! The Hacienda was my first club....and my last...god bless you, it was an honour to be a part of your 'Madchester' x

Rob Right
The end of a man and the end of an era. Manchester will never recover and shall forever decline with him now gone.

Dan
My mate held the door open for him once in Sinclairs bar.He still tells the story to this day.What a legend. Manchester will always remember you Tony.

Claire
What an ambassador for all things North West and musical. Not everyone may have liked what he was and did but you can't deny his ever lasting effect on the world of popular music and the torch he held for the North West. Quite right too ;)

david barton
a true Manc, intelligent, innovative and world changing.We have been lucky to create many people that have made a differnce to the world and no other city can compare with our contribution to music and industry, and tony was a significant person within our great history.As Jim Morrison once said, have you lived enough to have a movie based on you? Indeed Mr 24 hour man did!!Thanks for your great work to Manchester music and TV.

An English patriot from Lancashire.
Tony Wilson the enthusiastic regionalist and originator of the 'It's necessary' campaign to get a regional identity, flag and assembly for the NW has paid the highest price for his belief.While his friends paid out of their own pockets for his vital cancer drugs - denied to him by NICE (National Institute for Clinical Excellence) - they were free as of right available to all those in Scotland suffering from his kind of cancer. Maybe, if Tony had instead campaigned for equal rights and spending on a par with the Scots - and for an ENGLISH Parliament, he would still be alive. Regions will always lose out to Countries for resources. The only way forward and to adaquately look after our sick is to get an English First Minister and and English Parliament - for if we did then Tony really would have had access to the drugs that could have saved him.

m smith
End of an era.

Paul G
Despite all the negative names everyone knew he was a musical genius. A sad day for manchester and real music. RIP ATH Love always

Al Needham
I once gave a speech at In The City, and was absolutely terrified at the thought of meeting him, but he turned out to be as charming, considerate and decent as everyone says he was. I'm not from Manchester, but everyone with a brain knows that it's now the true capital city of England. Tony Wilson had a lot to do with that, and I count myself extremely lucky to have met him.

colin gibbins
as an avid member of the manc seen since 1983 i have only now realised the massive contribution mr wilson played in the manc seen,with his foresite into such groups as joy division, new order,the happy mondays, north side, etc,i know doreen ian curtis mum and am sure she will be very upset by this news,as he was the only one to keep in touch after the loss of ian,god bless manchester.

Dave
Thanks for everything tony.

jill e
Tony was always ready to go out on a rainy Manchester night to attend a meeting about the city...his presence always enlivened the meeting as he argued passionately for the city to be brave and innovative in their policies. He kindly came to meet me in the first incarnation of Atlas bar when I was starting to research my thesis on the weekend in Manchester and Salford. We didn't know each other but he was so helpful and eager to talk about his beloved city. Tony we'll miss you so much...

kelly
not a day goes by when we dont listen to or read something about the bands tony brought to us. a talented man who pretty much had the best job in the world, not because of any kind of status but because he was truly passionate about our city and our musical culture. for this, we'll always be greatful.as long as we live, breathe, see and hear manchester, we remember what tony wilson achieved. he's completely inspired my careers choices. tonys family, fellow mancunians and music fans around the world, my thoughts are with you all. thanks to his legacy, we'll celebrate his memory forever.RIP Mr Manchester, long live the musical capital of the world.

Adrian Lucas
I was shocked when I heard the news. I knew he'd been ill, but I thought he was getting over it. He will be sadly missed. I didn't know the guy, but I feel I did. I bumped into him a few times over the years. Who else would wear a midnight blue velvet jacket on the Stretford End ? lol. So much that will remind me of Tony, mostly music, that will make me smile.

Ian Horrabin
I am deeply saddened about the loss of Anthoy Wilson. I moved from manchester 18months ago and thought of how much he put my City on the map. If it wans't for him and the IRA, Manchester wouldn't be the city it is today.A real inspiration to all things Mancunian.God Bless you Tony.

mike
a big man called before his work was done, as a scouser tony was a big part of my tea time on granada reports, meatballs on toast will not be the same again.god bless tony

David Cash
Always here, never forgotten. RIP Mr Manchester

Martin S
Death's not fair. Wilson changed my life, changed - remade - the city, and could have done so much more. Thanks, Tony, bye-bye.

steve bridgeman
Tony Wilson was a true pro. A man of many facets, eccentric, intellectual, enthusiast, spokesperson, entrepreneur. I met him a couple of times but my residing memory of him was seing him walking down the street clutching an amazing quantity of bags full of expensive clothing. He was on a mobile phone and he said to the person on the other end "People say to me, Tony you have a mad life, and I do have a mad life!"

Jackie from Clitheroe
Thanks Tony for bringing the music to us.

Joe Alessi
I worked with Val Kilmer a couple of years ago in a play in the West End of London. Turned out that Tony knew Val from years ago when Val was married to Joanne Whalley. Tony & Yvette came backstage and wanted to meet me because it said in my biography that i was from Accrington! During the run of the play i met many 'A' list Hollywood celebs, but i can truly say that i was more excited about meeting Anthony H Wilson than anyone else.. RIP

Lewis Thomson, Dundee, Scotland
My life would have been less colourful, complicated and fun had it not been for the inspiration of the genius of localness and other-worldliness that was (is) AHW. Pop culture that reached so far. A sad day.

jill mannion
i was a student in manchester in 1973 -76 and witnessed the growth of of an infusion of music and the wider manchester culture - much of this due to the vision that Tony had.He put Manchester on the map, minus all the class, staus and hierarchy crap that had gone before. He transcended all this ideologigal hyperbole. He developed a synergy between politics and culture that became a lived experience in the North West.A (now) spiritual champion for the north. Dream on London!

will h
i never understood why people didnt like him, that bit will fade out now tho and people will deny they ever said, he stil created manchester tho among other great achievments and he should definately be remembered for that, he was so young

Neil Sterio
Gutted. So much that I love about my adopted city is down to Tony Wilson; he was also a bloody good journalist. I hope we are going to give him one hell of a wake.

Ian Swindell
This is a sad loss of a true Mancunian. Tony did everything in his power to put our great city on the map. Thanks Tony. Gone but never forgotten.

brian
thanks for all you have done for manchester and music.A truly gifted and devoted man.

Ant
"When the routine bites hardAnd ambitions are lowAnd the resentment rides highBut emotions wont growAnd were changing our ways,Taking different roadsThen love, love will tear us apart again"

Nick Fletcher
I will always remember him for finding Joy Division. Ian Curtis was a brilliant lyricist.

John Armstrong
I think Tony was behind the earthquake in Manchester - one last shake to make sure Manchester was on the national map. Tony was one of the greatest promoters of Manchester, the city must finally now formally recognize Tony Wilson.

Howard Jones
We will never have a more passionate champion for Manchester and its music. You've given us so much. Rest in peace.

MC
Thanks to Tony and so it goes i saw for the first time the Sex Pistols and the Clash on tv, it was the most exciting music i'd ever heard. Thanks Tony.

claired
A true and proud mancunian. He was one of my heroes.

Andy W
The Biggest name in manchester music with the possible exception of Morrissey. He helped create art that will stand the test of time.He loved the area and made me even more proud to be from the home of music.

Alex
I met Tony last year. Great man - great spirit - great loss.

MewSeek
Inspirational, memorable, indispensible. From the TV news to so it goes to the hac and beyond. Such a part of our lives - so sad. Deepest sympathy to his family.