It maybe typically late, but Peter Saville, Ben Kelly, Paul Barnes and Matt Robertson have created an immaculate grave stone for Tony Wilson, the former head and self-proclaimed idiot of Factory Records.
Three years late in fact, as Tony died in 2007 but like most of Saville's work (and his collaborators), it was worth the wait. The black granite headstone features beautiful typography, a considered layout and a quote chosen by Tony's family, from 'The Manchester Man', a 1876 novel by Mrs G Linnaeus Banks.
Tony was no idiot and helped create a superb record label which nurtured creativity, eccentricity and independence. And the work left behind is timeless and a great example to any budding designer or musician.
Tony's resting place is in the Southern Cemetery in Chorlton-Cum-Hardy, Manchester. I must plan a pilgrimage in the near future. Here's Tony's favourite Joy Division track, 'Atmosphere' – and my favourite version from the Live LP 'Les Bains Douches'.
