E112: Paul Morley on Manchester + Tony Wilson + New Order + Faust

In this episode, the legendary Paul Morley joins us to talk about his native Manchester, Joy Division and his epic new biography of Factory Records boss Tony Wilson.

Paul recounts his early pop epiphanies and discovery of the UK's music press, culminating in the one & only issue of his 1976 fanzine Out There — not to mention his first reviews for the NME in 1976. The conversation then turns to "Anthony H." Wilson and the formation of Factory, taking in Paul's championing of Joy Division before leading into a discussion of Martin Aston's 1986 audio interview with New Order's Bernard Sumner and Stephen Morris.

From there we consider the week's featured act Faust, spinning off from pieces about the German enigmas by Ian MacDonald, Andy Gill and David Stubbs, and prompting general thoughts on "Krautrock" from both guest and hosts. After saying goodbye to chief Chieftain Paddy Moloney, and to three veteran RBP writers on soul and R&B (Pete Grendysa, Bob Fisher and Roger St. Pierre), Mark leads us through his personal favourites among the 100+ articles added to the RBP library over the past fortnight, incuding pieces about the Stones' pad in Edith Grove, Lorraine Ellison's volcanic single 'Stay With Me' and Charlie Watts on drummers & drumming. Finally, Jasper talks us out with his thoughts on pieces about Primal Scream's 2000 XTRMNTR and John Sinclair taking The Wire's "Invisible Jukebox" text in 2003.

Many thanks to special guest Paul Morley; his book From Manchester with Love: The Life and Opinions of Tony Wilson is published by Faber and available now. 

Pieces discussed: Paul Morley on Manchester, Joy Division, New Order, Tony Wilson, New Order audio, Faust, Faust IV, Jean-Hervé Peron, David Stubbs' Faustian Pact, Rhythm & Blues, Soul (Style), The Chieftains, Paddy Moloney, The Stones, Pink Floyd, Lorraine Ellison, Iron Butterfly, Patti Smith, 808 State, Dusty Springfield, Charlie Watts, The Sex Pistols, Was (Not Was), Primal Scream and John Sinclair.