Skinny Dog Records are set to release St Anthony: An Ode To Anthony H Wilson, a tribute to the Factory Records legend Tony Wilson.

The release is to be celebrated with a huge launch party running through until 2.00am at the old Granada Studios on 14 August where the single will be performed live as well as featuring special guest DJs Clint Boon, Kath McDermott, Bobby Langley and Mike Pickering, a screening of the video (featuring Iggy Pop, Steve Coogan, New Order, Shaun Ryder and many more) and previously unseen interview footage from the video shoot.

The poem behind the single was written by Mancunian poet and lifelong Wilson fan Mike Garry who took it to music composer Joe Duddell (New Order, Elbow). On the first read, Duddell immediately heard elements of New Order’s ‘Your Silent Face’, completely unrealised by Garry, and decided to base the music on that song.  ‘St. Anthony: An Ode To Anthony H Wilson’ was born.

Wilson launched Factory Records in 1978 and he went on to establish the label by signing the likes of Joy Divison, New Order, and The Happy Mondays. He became known as Mr Manchester for his work throughout his career promoting the city. He was immortalized on film by Steve Coogan in 2003’s 24 Hour Party People and again in the Joy Division biopic Control, this time played by Craig Parkinson. After a long struggle with cancer, Tony Wilson died in 2007 in Manchester’s Christie Cancer Hospital. All profits from the single will go to The Christie Charitable Fund.

The video to St Anthony was made by Soup Collective and features a collection of Wilson’s close friends and collaborators each reciting lines from the poem, including the members of New Order, Christopher Ecclestone, Peter Saville, Terry Christian and Julie Hesmondhalgh.

‘St. Anthony: An Ode To Anthony H Wilson’ will be available to download and buy on CD and white vinyl 12”, all featuring the Weatherall remix, on Friday 14th August.  Skinny Dog Records is a label formed by members of I Am Kloot and Elbow.

Tickets for the launch party of St Anthony: An Ode To Anthony H Wilson may be purchased from www.stanthony.tickets – all proceeds go to The Christie Charitable Fund.


You may also be interested in:

Home announces Autumn/Winter season
Home announce two evenings of film and music
Manchester Art Gallery to host ‘An Exhibition for Modern Living’

Pictured Joe Duddell and Mike Garry