Tony Wilson, RIP

On Fri., Aug. 10, Anthony H. Wilson died from cancer at the age of 57. Most U.S. music fans unfamiliar with U.K. indie-rock history might recognize him as the freewheeling, irresistibly sardonic protagonist of 24 Hour Party People, the 2002 cult film that satirized his life story. But Wilson was also one of the great British record men of the last 40 years, and the one who put Manchester on the map.

Through Factory Records, Wilson discovered and issued key post-punk works by Joy Division (and other Joy Division incarnations such as New Order), A Second Ratio, Durutti Column, Orchestral Manoevers in the Dark (which put out its classic "Electricity" single through the label), James and Cabaret Voltaire. In the ’80s, Wilson and the members of New Order opened the Hacienda, perhaps the most famous nightclub from the "Madchester" era that pioneered rave culture. Some of the acts that recorded for Factory during this second phase included the Stone Roses and the Happy Mondays.

While Hacienda closed in the late ’90s, Factory survives as F4 Records. Most recently, Wilson brought In the City, his annual music industry conference, to America for the first time by holding a New York edition last June.

It's tragic, and yet fitting, that Wilson would pass away at a time when his primary achievement â€" mentoring and promoting artists that cross-pollinate rock music with electronic beats â€" is keenly felt through many of this year's most buzzed-about acts. Bands like Klaxons, New Young Pony Club and Datarock; and dance producers like Simian Mobile Disco owe a huge debt to Wilson and Factory Records. Rest in peace.