The Smiths and Morrissey: Tony Wilson 01 (of 6)

Tony Wilson was an English record label owner, journalist, impresario and TV celebrity who was at the heart of the punk and post-punk scene in the late 70s and early 80s. Founder of both The Hacienda club and Factory Records, Wilson played a vital role in the careers of Joy Division, New Order, The Durutti Column and The Happy Mondays. He died in August 2007.
In this extensive interview he discusses The Smiths and in particular their frontman Morrissey, whom he had known since the mid 1970s.

[@Truthmoses]

Tony Wilson visited me also in my bedroom and told me I would never be a popstar. In my case, he nailed it.

[@fionagregory6647]

I am glad his voice and image have been preserved forever.

[@seankilburn7200]

That is the beauty of technology

[@lenafan492]

I just can't picture Tony Wilson visiting an unknown Morrissey in his bedroom

[@Ballardian]

You have to admire his honesty in admitting how wrong he was.

[@sonanderson6351]

He’s not really being honest, he’s being Tony Wilson

[@Indieguitarist2007]

I’ve always imagined “frankly, mr shankly” was written about tony wilson.

[@Major00Tom]

Saint Anthony, St Anthony, St Anthony, please come round Because something is lost that cannot be found

[@martinevans3106]

mr manchester

[@martinevans3106]

Not in my world

[@sturdeehouse]

or mine

[@romo2674]

@Mark Richardson you are obviously rotten.

[@Lorenzo-cp7qs]

@@romo2674 so is your gran

[@galaxywolf969]

As much of a total git Tony Wilson could be he actually knew Ian Curtis and the rest of Joy Division as well as the Buzzcocks, Morrisey and Marr, and many others who I still listen to today...these bands....along with the Ramones....were a very large part of my life growing up in central Pennsylvania, a post punk skater kid who wanted so badly to live in Madchester in the late 70's and early 80's. He is a good chronicler of this strange moment in history. Though he probably never should have said that Sean Ryder was a genius on the level of Willian Butler Yeats. Really?

[@isaactorres5908]

Thats actually a genius comment from tw

[@davidfox7983]

Ryder is W B Yeats

[@jamara3330]

That git enabled Curtis and all of the other bands. Without his money and backing, we may never have heard them.

[@RyoHazuki1]

Nice to hear your story. I think Shaun Ryder was a fucking great lyricist on the first two albums, but I can't really stand to listen to what came after with Pills n' Thrills.

[@fasthracing]

How very honest

[@jrkk6829]

Honest? I think he knows the business of course but, to be honest, he made a mistake not signing them and takes credit like he did everyone a favour, his actions made the British indie scene happen or perhaps preserved it? Kind of jealous and in denial he really did make a mistake- he had no idea what would happen!

[@jrkk6829]

But what do we know for sure? People will say whatever they want and expect us to think it’s true- people! Lol

[@serolfg]

This is the Tony the Pony that Morrissey sang about.

[@knockdrive1]

Legend

[@thephoenix3155]

What year is this interview?

[@jogon7914]

"Pity you didn't sign The Smiths...but you were right about Mick Hucknall..his music's rubbish and he's a ginger." What God told Tony Wilson.

[@DREAMSNEVEREND465]

I am glad somebody is calling out Hucknalll.Everybodys darling with moneys too tight,and so shite after that

[@a1974h]

Always talks up Manchester creating the legend. Just PR

[@maverickminstrel1557]

Morrissey was at least 16 Not 14 in 1976...so I'm not convinced with Tony's anecdotes...

[@billjim334]

That’s Kind of an easy shot but the story sounds far fetched regardless

[@sheepthehack]

to be fair.. i love tony as a person.. but he also thought SEAN RYDER was a genius... and compared him to yeats.. so im not sure we can trust his word when it comes to genius level lyrics!!

[@sheepthehack]

@Max Moss shit.. my bad.. tnx.

[@sheepthehack]

@englishmanspeaks Amen to that.. He was a lovely guy.. just a BAD businessman.. I think i would prefer to be a nice guy and bad at business than an asshole and great at business :)

[@RyoHazuki1]

Just listen to Mondays first two albums - Ryder had a lot to say until he completely lost it.

[@richardmurray2068]

I wonder how the late great Mark E Smith would have reacted to have being called Punk...yet another bit of fantasy from Wilson

[@sonanderson6351]

They got along pretty well

[@Jackmc2112]

76’ Jesus! It’s totally ironic how dreadful the NY Dolls were and what bad taste in music Morrissey has.

[@seankilburn7200]

I have to admit they don’t seem to be that impressive

[@darrenwalshe65]

punk came from new York.

[@jamesonjaksch4883]

no, a lot of proto punk came from New York. But punk as we know it came from England.

[@dbag3345]

@@jamesonjaksch4883 you're smokin' crack mate

[@bluelines1]

Detroit (MC5) and Ann Arbor (The Stooges), and this was in the late 60s ..

[@22Hammy]

Punk didn't come from London. It was one good thing that came from America, from the Ramones.

[@kabukikommandofourthworld5266]

"UK punk" was brewing in London before anywhere else in that part of the world, that's what Tony meant, no need to strawman a dead man. Next time, use a little more common sense instead of rushing to foolish conclusions. 👺✨🗡