Tony Wilson passed away earlier this month. For those of you unfamiliar with Tony, he’s an influential co-founder of Factory Records, the label from whence sprang the bands Joy Division, New Order, and the Happy Mondays. Furthermore, I consider him one of my personal “spiritual leaders.” For an enjoyable introduction to Tony Wilson’s life story see the movie 24 Hour Party People.

Here’s a little from Momus’ blog on the legendary Factory non-contract contract:

…this is why it infuriates me when people say (as some have, even on the day he died) that Tony was a bad businessman. He was an amazing — and influential — businessman. Or should we say “anti-businessman”? His contract was a verbal one based on trust. He split profits with the band 50/50.

…Blue Monday’s lozenge-cut sleeve cost so much to print that the label actually lost more money the more copies they printed. But even that isn’t bad business. It’s an investment in mystique, and a bold statement that lavish elegance counts more than profit. “Some make money, others make history,” is how Tony put it.

Also, read about Factory’s hilarious method of cataloging everything with a number,  for example FAC 83 for the 1-year anniversary party for their club The Haçienda (FAC 51).  I’m thinking of instituting this system at my office.