It’s been eight years since the death of Manchester’s Factory Records founder Tony Wilson who was instrumental in some of the most iconic releases in British history including records by New Order, Joy Division and Happy Mondays.
In a pretty heart-warming show of respect, a number of British musicians and actors have gathered together to honour Wilson in a video to accompany a tribute song by poet Mike Garry and musician Joe Duddell titled St. Anthony: An Ode To Anthony H Wilson.
Actor Steve Coogan and Iggy Pop open the video which also features New Order members Bernard Sumner, Stephen Morris and Gillian Gilbert. The music of the track was based on New Order’s Your Silent Face.
Wilson died on August 10, 2007 of cancer almost 15 years after the collapse of Factory Records, leaving an everlasting impression on the Manchester music scene.
“I think St Anthony is a very fitting and moving epitaph. I was very shocked by Tony’s death. He always seemed so young and enthusiastic in spirit. He had the attitude of a man in his 20s, which I thought was a great way to be,” Sumner told The Guardian about the tribute.
“Tony Wilson who was no saint, but he was a good man who did good things by using his position in the media to help musicians, artists and poets to grow. He didn’t need to do that, and he didn’t do it for the money, he did it because he was trying to do good for the culture of the city he lived in and loved.”
All the proceeds from the track will go towards cancer research.
Watch: Mike Garry & Joe Duddell – St Anthony: An Ode to Anthony H Wilson
