Tony Wilson, Music industry maverick, innovator and "professional Mancunian", has died of a heart attack, aged 57.

Born in Salfrod, Wilson was the founder of Facory Records, which was home to acts such as New Order and The Happy Mondays. He also set up the Hacienda nightclub in Manchester, which by all rights has claim to describe itself as "legendary". More recently, Wilson has presented a slew of radio shows on XFM Manchester and BBC GMR. He was also one of the organisers of the annual and influential In The City music conference.

Wilson was diagnosed with cancer in late 2006, and underwent surgery to remove a kidney in January of this year. However, his doctors have stated that his heart attack was not brought on as a result of his cancer.