Very sad to hear earlier today that Tony Wilson passed away this week (Friday the 10th of August).
Obviously Tony will forever be remembered by his relationship to the UK (and mainly Manchester) music scene, highlights include bringing the Sex Pistols to the attention of the world outside of 'the smoke' (London to the rest of the World) in the UK, managing Joy Division (nee Warsaw), and then New Order. Part owner and manager of Factory Records (home of the Happy Mondays) - then part owner and manager of The Haçienda (often credited with being one of the 'birthplaces' of Rave and the rise of the 'cult of the DJ').
However for me it will be Tony's commitment to Regionalism and his passionate rallying against Centralisation that I will miss the most. I suspect that if he'd lived it would be this area that he would have eventually been remembered for.
I wish his family and friends all the best in this time of mourning.
