Factory: The Story of the Record Label

Factory Records' renown and success largely stemmed from two bands – Joy Division and New Order – and the singular personality of its director, Tony Wilson. At the zenith of the label's prosperity in the late 1980s, it operated its own club, the legendary Hacienda, boasted a string of international hit records, and garnered admiration and emulation worldwide.

However, by the 1990s, the narrative had shifted. The back catalogue was sold off, flagship bands New Order and Happy Mondays were in disarray, and the Hacienda was shut down by the police. Critically acclaimed upon its initial publication in 1996, this book recounts the complete, spectacular history of Factory Records, from the label's inception in 1970s Manchester, through its 80s heyday, and its eventual demise in the 90s.

Now updated to include new material on the re-emergence of Joy Division, the passing of Tony Wilson, and the enduring legacy of Factory Records, it draws on exclusive interviews with the key figures to provide a fascinating insight into the unique personalities and chaotic reality behind one of the UK's most influential and successful independent record labels.