Before I go too far and commit myself, I just have to say that I was off the net for a good while.

I've just finished a library book with the title, "You're Entitled To An Opinion". Written by David Nolan, about Tony Wilson. To be perfectly honest, I really didn't know too much about this guy (TW) except that he was a reporter on Granada Reports,and although we had seen him on a couple of occasions at The Willows watching the lads from the terraces, that was it.

Wow: what a story of a Salford lad that achieved the very highest of educations at DeLasalle (SP) and then on to Cambridge and who completely revolusionised the entire music scene: evolved, not only regionally, but nationally and then Worldwide.

Love him or hate him, you can't argue with his impact as an individual with some very talented bands.

I know I'm gonna get trashed by you that are in the know, but at my tender age it was great to learn.

All the best BD.

P.S. Santa Claus is going to bring me a new Prime Minister for Christmas.

Check out the Michael Winterbottom film 24 Hour Party People for more on the story (with the odd embellishment), with Steve Coogan playing Wilson.

I think age will be very kind to Tony Wilson. You could make a reasonable claim that thanks to Tony Wilson's and his associates' ethos, culturally, Manchester became the credible city it is today.

I don't have a sinlge word of praise for the guy.
I appreciate that he championed Manchester (and as far as I am ware, not Salford). but, whilst full repect (for succeeding) to the fella (and his family since his demise), I couldn't stand the bloke.
On screen, a jerk, completely full of himself, pretentious, ill-mannered, and a really annoying SOAB.
I won't miss him one iota.

Also, I just cannot abide Steve Coogan. The saying "money for old rope" springs to mind.

Anthony H Wilson, if you don't mind. I could never tell how seriously he took himself.

I always enjoyed Granada Reports when he was on, although I think that was due just as much to Bob Smithies, who was a really witty bloke.

Do you mean Bob Greaves ?

I understand your comments 100% JJ: i really didn't know much about him other than I've mentioned, but when it comes to his association with his musical connection there is hardly a bad word to be spoken about him.
It would appear that he was seduced by music and musicians to the point where he took risks with up and coming bands for very little or no profit, and it appears that he ran things in a totally amateurish way.

My thoughts are not dissimilar to your own about the bloke: I really didn't like him, but I just happened to come across this book at my local library and thought I'd read it. It was just much more interesting than I thought.

Yep, one beer too many, as you probably guessed
Apologies if my mini rant offended anyone

Agree with Jim. I felt he came over as very smug and was a bit of a self confessed genius. In Politics I think he was even further Left Wing than `Big Pev`.

"achieved the very highest of educations at De La Salle "

one of the select few but all have quality!

I wamed to him as time went on and, sorry JJ, he really did push Salford.

forced my (scouse) GF to watch it over the weekend. education it is called.

I have a recording I did with Anthony H Wilson a few years back reading from twenty four hour party people, he signed the book to the people of Seedley and Langworthy, the only problem was for fill effect I did not edit it but let it go out "raw" on "Seedley and Langworthy FM" (now Salford City Radio, my baby)on a Sunday morning, certainly woke up a few people.

Tony's only problem he didn't believe in contracts.

I agree completely with you Jim. I played a lot around the peek of Mr Wilson's era and he was a charmless and arrogant man who controlled the circuits that Manchester used. If he liked you and he could get you to do what he wanted - great. If not; forget it! Suffice to say I, and my fellow group members (all Salford lads), had a lot of run-ins with him and his Pack of sycophants!
Far too much has been said about him and not enough about the real pioneer of Manchester Music of that period - Richard Boon of New Hormones.