DEATH OF A SALESMAN

I was saddened by the news of the death of Tony Wilson.

I've no doubt you'll find some heartfelt tributes on loads of blogs, as well as a few less than kind remarks as there are many who thought the man was a twat. And let's face it, he sometimes thought he was as well.

I'm not from Manchester, and perhaps not best placed to offer an opinion. But I'll contend that Tony Wilson did as much as anyone in the latter part of the 20th Century to raise the profile of the city he's most associated with. He helped transform it into a city where those of us who didn't live there were jealous of those lucky enough to do so.

I only met him once. He came to Glasgow for a book reading of 24 Hour Party People, and it turned into a fabulous couple of hours. He was regally entertaining, with more than a hint of self-parody about his persona. Along with Bill Drummond, he was the one guy in the music industry that I would love to have been able to go down the pub with.

The world is a slightly poorer place without him being around. I hope the city gives him a great send-off.

song : Care - Sad Day For England

song : Joy Division - Love Will Tear Us Apart (Pennine Version)