The Smiths and Morrissey: Tony Wilson 02 (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.

[@KarlHamilton]

Tony was such a legend. The world is a duller place without him. RIP.

[@RossBayCult]

I'm glad he got to share these tidbits before he left us.

[@sexobscura]

a compulsive liar

[@lenfirewood4089]

This guy really meant it at least as much if not more than the KLF of Drummond and Cauty. A true visionary poet in his own way. Sadly missed even today RIP St Anthony.

[@stecrawley6590]

RIP St Anthony H Wilson still massively missed

[@kevinchamberlain7928]

He's telling the truth imho. 24 hour party people is a great movie - especially if, like myself, you got to taste the 80/90's for real in Manchester.

[@nomaddd123]

Morrissey and Marr literally saved indie .. interesting story

[@sexobscura]

as in 'once upon a time …'

[@1888gp]

they didnt save indie they invented indie

[@petergannon8183]

New Order kept indie going until the Mondays boomed - the Smiths were great but were slightly too early to smash it

[@lauracipollone294]

❤ love you Tony

[@user-kl4bh4lq6r]

He Reminds me of a legal aid lawyer very interesting bloke

[@mikewilson3581]

I think if Rob Gretton were still alive he would have convinced Hooky to stay in New Order.

[@sonanderson6351]

Dunno, he was a much reduced force after 1986. Barney was firmly in control by 1993

[@mikewilson3581]

@@sonanderson6351 True. By the end of the decade he'd retired as their manager. But when New Order got back together (again) in 98 I think they would have listened to Rob's input. They know No Gretton, No New Order. He believed in them and gave them a chance.

[@nobbystyles4807]

if he'd have signed Madonna most of her hits would have never been made because she wouldnt have worked with shep pettibone. she'd have ended up working with martin hannit instead and fuck knows how that would have ended up.

[@sardonicus76]

Madonna: “Remember that new song I told you about? I’m thinking of calling it ‘True Blue’. What do you think?” Martin Hannett: “I think it should be more yellow.”

[@sonanderson6351]

Hannett was off the case in the mid 80s. She wouldnt have been working with him (nobody was)

[@patrickhicks9880]

the smiths were perfect as they were same goes for new order you can like both

[@sexobscura]

*Wilson will not say that part of the contract that they wanted was that Marr got Factory to buy him a red bicycle … Tony flatly refused*

[@sheepthehack]

If that was ANYONE but TONY WILSON telling the story of why he didnt sign the band.. i would say it was bullshit... but i actually believe him1!!!

[@angelariley.9963]

I don't, that's just shattered my belief in his honesty,sadly.

[@lenfirewood4089]

It's sad you think that but I do believe him because he did have that kind of humility just ask Richard Maddely.

[@angelariley.9963]

@@lenfirewood4089 I don't think he gave a shit about Morrissey or The Smith's. I've seen other interviews with T.W. more or less saying that he didn't like Morrissey and when Mirrissey invited him round to his house and announced he was going to be a pop star T.W. didn't take him seriously and thought he was a joke.

[@sheepthehack]

@@angelariley.9963 I saw the same interview.. and i think ANYONE in that position would have doubts.. morrisey was a spotty little geek in a time of COOL pop stars... TW didnt take into the consideration that Morrisey would exploit the ANXIOUS TEEN CROWD with his songs of utter fucking DOOM!! Morrisey treated people like SHIT.. even people that had stuck by him for YEARS.. he never appreciated peoples SKILLS.. TW didnt like Morrisey because of how he treated one of his friends.. a very nice and talented guy that Morrisey had fetching his fucking laundry and shit.. FUCK MORRISEY!!! NO ONE LIKED HIM!!!

[@angelariley.9963]

@@sheepthehack I don't think there is any need for that. Calm down, you are showing yourself up.

[@brycesterling947]

morrissey is my god

[@davidroebuck3617]

That Madonna story is an absolute “whopper” as we say. #Bollocks

[@keithachrist]

Morrissey didn’t want to be on your lable

[@darrenwalshe65]

that has to be the worst excuse not to sign a band! if he thought they were that good the smiths would made them up there again! pure lies

[@theselector4733]

@Big Mouth Strikes Again Overt subliminal masonic messages from Tony or Moz?

[@sexobscura]

he probably gets together with Malcolm McLaren to swap notes