Tony Wilson, who died on 10 August, 2007, was a music manager dubbed ‘Mr Manchester’ for his huge influence on the city’s music scene.

Launching two of Manchester’s most successful bands - New Order and Happy Mondays - he worked hard to deliver the best in music and could often be seen rubbing shoulders with popular music figures at The Hacienda nightclub - a venue he launched to help promote up-and-coming bands.

His almost single-handed domination of musical culture in Manchester coincided with regular appearances on television and radio. Michael Winterbottom’s film 24 Hour Party People documented Mr Wilson’s musical career with the comedian Steve Coogan pulling off Mr Wilson’s character to critical acclaim.

When Mr Wilson was diagnosed with cancer, his enjoyment of music and Manchester’s nightlife was cut short although the energy and enthusiasm he had already displayed over his career was enough to secure him iconic status.

Anthony Howard Wilson was born on 20 February, 1950, in Salford, Manchester. After completing his school education he attended Jesus College, Cambridge, where he studied English as well as penned articles for the university newspaper.

His poor performance at university was soon overshadowed by his desire and determination to make a name for himself in the media.

He secured a full-time position at Granada television in Manchester in the early ‘70s, immersing himself in the role as a news reporter and later as presenter of current affairs programme World In Action.

Mr Wilson’s other role as presenter of music show So It Goes helped to promote up-and-coming Manchester bands and it was after his co-creation of music label Factory Records in 1978 that things really took off for him.

Factory Records’ biggest success was built around rock band Joy Division who were early pioneers of the Manchester music scene before lead singer Ian Curtis’ death in 1981.

Despite the setback, he was determined to continue his venture as a music entrepreneur and his faith in bands such as New Order and Happy Mondays proved the making of Wilson.

The deliberate play on Manchester being the heart of British music by Mr Wilson was enough to see the Manchester rock music scene dubbed ‘Madchester’ from the mid-80s onwards.

In 1982 he opened The Hacienda nightclub, hosting popular dance nights and with the help of a few friends helped it to become one of the most successful nightspots in the UK.

His association with the nightclub, which eventually closed in the 1990s, was the inspiration behind 24 Hour Party People (2002) a semi-fictional story chronicling Mr Wilson’s influence on Manchester culture.

As Manchester Indie bands began taking over the music scene in the early 90s, Mr Wilson’s record label folded and he returned to television presenting where he would flourish for the final few years of his life.

Chat shows and a role as presenter for Granada news was indication that Mr Wilson’s life had, to a point, come full circle. In 2003 he launched a campaign for North West England to be given a referendum on the creation of a regional assembly and his active participation in politics remained until shortly before his death.

He was diagnosed with cancer in February 2007 and his intensive treatment involved taking the drug Sutent which was not funded by the NHS in Manchester. Former bands and acts including the Happy Mondays rallied to support the payment of Mr Wilson’s treatment. It was while still receiving treatment that he died of a heart attack at a Manchester hospital.