12 March 2025
THE DURUTTI COLUMN / A Life of Reilly / book 
Durutti Column

In 1978 Tony Wilson founded Factory Records to release music by The Durutti Column, the unique music ensemble built around the singular talents of virtuoso guitarist Vini Reilly.

Written - and meticulously researched - by Shadowplayers author James Nice, this authorised biography offers a fascinating insight into the extraordinary triangular relationship between Vini Reilly, Bruce Mitchell and band manager Tony Wilson, as well as the enduring cultural influence of The Durutti Column’s peerless Factory label catalogue.

A Life of Reilly includes candid input from Vini himself, as well as band and family members, and details Vini’s troubled Manchester upbringing, cult stardom in Japan, punk rock glory at the Roxy, radical auto-destructive sandpaper sleeves, diversions into neoclassical orchestration and glossy electronica, dazzling collaborations with Martin Hannett, Morrissey and Stephen Street, and hellacious Hacienda happenings.

The third publishing venture for Burning Shed, the book is presented as a deluxe limited hardback edition with quarter bound cloth spine.

272 pages. 218mm wide x 216mm deep.

'I never imagined a book of my life. It’s amazingly detailed and factually correct. Good sense holds sway and the hard-won research gives real clarity. It’s quite wonderful for me and my family, and it means a great deal to end on positivity.' (Vini Reilly)

'The Return of the Durutti Column is still to me one of the most beautiful and magical records ever made.' (Steven Wilson)

'Vini's guitar sound paintings create colours and textures only visible in the mind. A true psychedelicist.' (Bobby Gillespie)

'An extremely gifted and unique guitarist, with a wonderful way of fusing almost classical guitar technique with something more ambient and spacious.' (Bill Nelson)

A Life of Reilly is available exclusively from Burning Shed (click here to order)


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