Tony Wilson, who died last Friday, was one of the founders of Factory Records, and, as anyone who’s seen him portrayed so memorably by Steve Coogan in 24 Hour Party People knows, he was influential within the larger Manchester scene that also brought us The Buzzcocks, Joy Division, The Smiths, and countless other bands that helped define the sound (and business) of indie rock up through today.
Obituaries recalling Wilson’s influence, passion, and peculiar attraction for insane money problems abound this week (BBC, Rolling Stone, Idolator), so I’ll just opt for sharing a few of the amazing bands he helped steer my happy way.