From Joy Division to New Order: The True Story of Anthony H. Wilson and Factory Records [Paperback]

Mick Middles (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 2002

Factory Records' reputation and fortune were founded on two bands - Joy Division and New Order - and one single-minded and stubborn personality: its media friendly company director Anthony H. Wilson. At the height of its success in the late 1980s, the company reigned over the Manchester rave scene. ran its own club, the Hacienda, and had a string of hit records around the world. By 1992 the back catalogue had been sold off, New Order and Happy Mondays were in disarray, and the Hacienda was shut down by the police. Since then the story of Factory Records has become the stuff of myth and legend. A major new British film, Twenty-Four Hour Party People, revisits the heyday of the Hacienda, and stars Steve Coogan as Anthony H. Wilson alongside many of the artists and personalities who were around at the time. From Joy Division to New Order, acclaimed on its original publication in 1996, tells the real story of Factory's spectacular history. Drawing on exclusive interviews with the major players, Mick Middles provides a timely and fascinating look at the unique personalities and messy reality behind one of the UK's most influential and (at one time) commercially successful independent record companies.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'A fascinating account... This contradictory melting pot of arch freakishness and local machismo is richly detailed' Q 'Informed and informative... a smart, well researched view of the Manchester music scene' Maxim

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Virgin Publishing (April 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0753506386
• ISBN-13: 978-0753506387
• Product Dimensions: 1 x 5 x 7.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.1 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,800,355 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars fun, March 21, 2010

By 

Oliver Ignatius (Brooklyn, NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: From Joy Division to New Order: The True Story of Anthony H. Wilson and Factory Records (Paperback)

this was a fun read even if structurally it's a little bizarre. probably not the best source on any of the bands featured, but interesting as an all-encompassing perspective on the time

2 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fair to Middles, October 1, 2004

By 

Charles K. Cousins "C2" (Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: From Joy Division to New Order: The True Story of Anthony H. Wilson and Factory Records (Paperback)

At the start, I felt Mick was a bit of a sycophant. And he may well be. As things progress, I was able to put that aside and was quite fascinated with this slice of British music history. And really, being sycphantic is not a bad thing in context. Anyone who was around when the music came out, or anyone who loves electro pop, dance and DJ culture should enjoy this. Me, I always love the Brits and their writing. I enjoy the quiet humour. Does that sound sycophantic???