Tony Wilson RIP

The co-founder of Factory Records and Hacienda nightclub, the unofficial ambassador of Manchester left us to meet Ian Curtis, Martin Hannett and Rob Gretton. As Alan McGee of Creation records simply put it: 'Without Tony Wilson there would be no indie labels'.
The legend has it that the following dialogue took place during the last days of Factory Records, when Roger Ames of London Records offered Tony Wilson 5 million pounds for Factory Records and it is brilliantly depicted in the movie "24 Hour Party People":
-Tony Wilson: "We are very very flattered Roger... however what I have to explain to you is that Factory records is not actually a company. We are an experiment in human nature. You're labouring on the misapprehension that we actually have a deal with our bands; that we have any kind of a contract at all, and I'm afraid we don't" (he takes a framed piece of paper which is hanged on the wall and he walks to Ames) "because that's the paperwork of Factory records with the various bands" (he gives the paper to Ames).
-Roger Ames reads it loudly: "The artists own all of their work. The label owns nothing. Our bands have the freedom..."
-T.W.: "... to fuck off"
-R.A. whispers: "... oh yeah quite right... the freedom to fuck off!" He laughs uneasily and turns to Wilson: "I won't have a deal with you at all".
T.W.: "Correct. But my epitaph will be that I never literally nor metaphorically sold out. I protect myself from having the dilemma to sell out by having nothing to sell out."

Tony Wilson in documentary (including footage of Wilson hosting "So It Goes")


Excellent sites about Factory records: here and here.
In both sites one can find what is included in the bizarre Factory catalogue. Apart from the releases and the "usual" tickets, posters, buildings etc., there are also a dentist bill (FAC 99), a bucket (FAC 148), a bet (FAC 253) and a cat (FAC 191)!

Highly recommended further reading:
"Factory Records: The Complete Graphic Album" by Matthew Robertson; a superb overview of the artwork including record sleeves, posters, venues etc., foreworded (of course) by Tony Wilson.

Update: Xfm Manchester had a stunning tribute to Wilson under the title "True Faith", broadcasted on Thursday night 16/8, hosted by Clint Boon (of Inspiral Carpets) and Dave Haslam. Catch it in podcast.