Factory: The Story of the Record Label

Factory Records' fame and fortune were based on two bands - Joy Division and New Order - and one personality - that of its director, Tony Wilson. At the height of the label's success in the late 1980s, it ran its own club, the legendary Haçienda, had a string of international hit records, and was admired and emulated around the world. But by the 1990s the story had changed. The back catalogue was sold off, top bands New Order and Happy Mondays were in disarray, and the Haçienda was shut down by the police. Critically acclaimed on its original publication in 1996, this book tells the complete story of Factory Records' spectacular history, from the label's birth in 1970s Manchester, through its '80s heyday and '90s demise. Now updated to include new material on the re-emergence of Joy Division, the death of Tony Wilson and the legacy of Factory Records, it draws on exclusive interviews with the major players to give a fascinating insight into the unique personalities and chaotic reality behind one of the UK's most influential and successful independent record labels. Review Informed and informative ... a smart, well-researched view of the Manchester music scene ― Maxim A fascinating account ... richly detailed ― Q Synopsis 'Informed and informative ...a smart, well-researched view of the Manchester music scene' - "Maxim". Factory Records' fame, fortune and legacy were based on two bands - Joy Division and New Order - and one personality - that of its director, Tony Wilson. At the height of the label's success, Factory ran its own club, the legendary Hacienda, had a string of international hits and was at the epicentre of a music scene of its own creation. Wilson had become a legendary figure, and his label was admired and emulated around the world.A decade later it was all over, and yet today Factory's legacy is stronger than ever. This is the full story of Factory's spectacular history, from its birth in post-punk Seventies Manchester, through its Eighties heyday and Nineties demise. Now updated to include exclusive new material on the re-emergence of Joy Division, the death of Tony Wilson and the lasting influence of the label and the man who founded it, "Factory" gives a unique and fascinating insight into the messy reality of this iconic label. From the Back Cover ‘Informed and informative … a smart, well-researched view of the Manchester music scene’ - Maxim Factory Records’ fame, fortune and legacy were based on two bands – Joy Division and New Order – and one personality – that of its director, Tony Wilson. At the height of the label’s success, Factory ran its own club, the legendary Haçienda, had a string of international hits and was at the epicentre of a music scene of its own creation. Wilson had become a legendary figure, and his label was admired and emulated around the world. A decade later it was all over, and yet today Factory's legacy is stronger than ever. This is the full story of Factory's spectacular history, from its birth in post-punk Seventies Manchester, through its Eighties heyday and Nineties demise. Now updated to include exclusive new material on the re-emergence of Joy Division, the death of Tony Wilson and the lasting influence of the label and the man who founded it, Factory gives a unique and fascinating insight into the messy reality of this iconic label. Author Bio Mick Middles is the author of nineteen books, most of which have concentrated on Manchester's music artists from punk to the present. He was the Manchester correspondent for Sounds magazine and his work has appeared in publications as diverse as the Guardian, Daily Telegraph, the Express, Manchester Evening News, the Face, Kerraang, Classic Rock, Record Collector and Rock'n'Reel. He lives in Warrington.