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SORELY MISSED: Tony Wilson
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'Tony changed people's lives'
Ailsa Cranna16/ 8/2007
TRIBUTES have been paid to Salford-born music mogul Tony Wilson who has lost his battle with cancer at the age of 57.
Tony, who was diagnosed with cancer last year, died following a heart attack in Christie Hospital at about 7pm on Friday, August 10.
He suffered a heart attack on Thursday and was with half a dozen family and friends, including his two children, and partner Yvette Livesey when he passed away.
In February of this year he announced he had cancer of the kidney and underwent surgery and experimental chemotherapy before being treated with a new drug Sutent.
When he was denied the drug on the NHS, his friends set up a fund to pay for the £3,500 treatment.
Tony, who went to De La Salle Boys Grammar School in Salford from 1961 to 1968, was born in Hope Hospital on February 20, 1950.
He went on to become a television presenter for Granada TV and founded the influential Factory Records, home to Salford bands New Order and the Happy Mondays and he was also co-owner of the world-famous Hacienda nightclub.
David Dunne, 45, of Gatley, a former DJ with Piccadilly Radio and now boss of house music record label HedKandi, was 13, and a student at De La Salle when Tony Wilson came back on a visit to his old school.
Speaking from Bulgaria he said: "I was in the library reading something by Kurt Vonnegut when Tony came in with one of the masters.
"He saw what I was reading and started chatting because he liked Vonnegut's work too.
"I later got to know him through DJing and through the music scene in Manchester and he was always very approachable.
"The Hacienda changed my life and Tony Wilson was always an inspiration to me."
David Burke, 55, The Daily Telegraph's rugby league correspondent, was at De La Salle at the same time as Tony Wilson.
He said: "He was a few years above me and not interested in sport - two reasons why I had no personal contact with him.
"Despite not knowing him, we were all very proud that he had been to De La Salle, and it is a terrible tragedy."
Bob Caserta, who also went to De La Salle, said: "Although we were aware he was ill we didn't expect his departing so soon.
"He was two years below me and we wouldn't get involved with 'sprogs' from the third form. Yet, you will find, we all remember him.
"He was always darting about the corridors, always in trouble and would regularly get a clip around the ear from the fifth year boys for his cheek."
Peter Crompton, principal of Pendleton College, in Salford, which merged with De La Salle in 1997, said: "He was an exceptional student. The fact that he was well-known in the region is testimony to his many achievements and his great success in promoting our city."
Professor Robert Hawkins, his doctor at Christie Hospital, said: "It is especially sad that he has passed away as we seemed to be making some progress in the Sutent campaign."
Ordsall-raised Peter Hook, of bands Joy Division and New Order, said: "I'm devastated. It's like my dad has died all over again."
Paul Ryder, formerly of the Happy Mondays, added: "He changed my life forever. He's Mr Salford for me. He was a great guy and a super human being."
TONY Wilson filmed one of his final interviews a few weeks before his death with Channel M - see it by clicking the video link ...
Most recent 2 of 2 user comments
16/08/2007 at 18:06
Got an opinion you want to share?Should less emphasis be placed on the results of tests and more emphasis on general education for children?
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