Durutti Column
One of the more eclectic bands to emerge from Manchester's punk scene, Vini Reilly (b. Vincent Gerard Reilly, August 1953, Manchester, England) and his Durutti Column combined elements of jazz, electronic and even folk in their multitude of releases. However Vini's musical beginnings were as guitarist in more standard 1977 hopefuls Ed Banger And The Nosebleeds. Two other groups from 1977—Fastbreeder and Flashback—had since merged into a new group, who were being managed by Manchester television presenter and Factory Records founder Anthony Wilson. Wilson invited Reilly to join guitarist Dave Rowbotham and drummer Chris Joyce in January 1978, and together they became the Durutti Column (after a political cartoon strip used by the SI in Strasbourg during the '60s). They were joined by vocalist Phil Rainford and bass player Tony Bowers and recorded for the famous A FACTORY SAMPLER EP with the late Martin Hannett producing. These were the only recordings made by this line-up and the band broke up. Reilly carried on with the Durutti Column alone, while the others (except Rainford) formed the Moth Men. The debut T he Return Of The Durutti Columnappeared on Factory in 1980 and was largely recorded by Reilly, although Hannett, Pete Crooks (bass), and Toby (drums) also contributed. Durutti Column soon established a solid cult following, particularly abroad, where Reilly's moving instrument work was appreciated. Live appearances had been sporadic, however, as Reilly suffered from an eating disorder and was frequently too ill to play. The album was notable for its sandpaper sleeve, inspired by the anarchist movement Situationist Internatiside. Reilly and producer Hannett helped out on Pauline Murray's first solo album later in 1980. The Durutti Column's own recordings over the next few years were a mixed batch recorded by Reilly with assistance from drummers Donald Johnson, then Bruce Mitchell (ex- Alberto Y Lost Trios Paranoias), Maunagh Flemin and Simon Topping on horns, and much later further brass players Richard Henry, Tim Kellett, and Mervyn Fletcher plus violinist Blaine Reininger and celloist Caroline Lavelle. Dozens of other musicians have joined the nucleus of Reilly and Mitchell over the years and the band are still active today. A striking example of late period Durutti Column was captured on VINI REILLY, released in 1989. The guitarist cleverly incorporated the sampled voices of Joan Sutherland, Tracy Chapman, Otis Redding and Annie Lennox into a moving world of acoustic/electric ballads. Reilly has also lent some mesmerizing guitar to a host of recordings by artists such as Anne Clarke and Richard Jobson, and fellow Mancunian and friend Morrissey. On 8 November 1991, former Durutti guitarist Dave Rowbotham was discovered axed to death at his Manchester home. A murder hunt followed.