RIP – TONY WILSON

Our sincere condolences and best wishes go out to the family of Anthony H Wilson, who died aged 57 in Christies Hospital, Manchester, on Friday evening. Tony was a huge inspiration when we launched Vice in the UK.

Around about the time we were launching in 2001 / 2 we’d often talk on the phone and he would give us moral support and advice. About three years ago he came down to London to visit the Old Blue Last and we got the chance to tell him how much he’d influenced us. I don’t know if he believed us, maybe he thought we were joking, but we really meant it.
We found out he was ill months ago through our friend Nathan McGough, who, in secret, had been helping raising money to pay for the drugs that could help Tony’s cancer. Manchester NHS Primary Care Trust refused to give it him for free.
As well as being a massive personal inspiration, Tony was also one of the most charming raconteurs we have ever met. He changed British culture by breaking the underground and avant grade into the mainstream.
He was an innovator, a rebel spirit, a visionary and he will be sadly missed.