Tony Wilson (Mr Manchester) dies

Anthony Wilson, the music mogul and broadcaster, died last night at Christie Hospital in Manchester. The 57-year old was diagnosed with cancer earlier this year.

Born in Salford in 1950, ‘Mr Manchester’ was famous for setting up Factory Records, the label of New Order and the Happy Mondays, founding the Hacienda nightclub, and the In the City music festival.

However we will remember him most for a little known late night TV show from the late 1980s. At a time when North West England was distinctly unfashionable and economically ruined, Tony worked tirelessly on the Other Side of Midnight to promote the region, particularly Manchester. Without his inspiration, this site probably wouldn’t exist.