The Haçienda was the product of Manchester - its people, its mood and its time. From an initial idea by Rob Gretton (manager of Joy Division), and the TV broadcaster and music entrepreneur Anthony Wilson, the nightclub was set up as a then "alternative" platform and venue for new bands, many of...

The Hollies formed from 2 earlier Manchester groups, The Deltas and The Dolphins in 1962, and launched on a career of long running UK hit records. They comprised Alan Clarke (vocals), Tony Hicks (guitar and vocals), Graham Nash (guitar and vocals - see below - next entry), Eric Haydock (bass),...

Mick Hucknall - Simply Red A British group formed in 1982, originating in Manchester, with an original line-up of Mick "Red" Hucknall on vocals, Chris Joyce on drums, Tom Bowers on bass, Tim Kellet on keyboard and trumpet, Fritz McIntyre on keyboards and vocals, and with Sylvan Richardson on...

Phil Lynott Thin Lizzy - (1949-1986) Philip Lynott, guitarist and singer of the famed pop group "Thin Lizzy", though actually born in Birmingham, England on 20th August 1949, of an Irish mother and a black Brazilian father, moved with his mother to live in Manchester while he was still...

David Gray David Gray was born in Sale, Manchester in 1968, where his family ran a chain of bakery shops. As a result of a serious family dispute in 1995, he and his parents moved to live in Wales. Later, he returned to the Northwest region to attend Liverpool University, where his interest in...

Bee Gees Jointly known as the Bee Gees, Barry, Maurice, and Robin Gibb's career began when the three gathered in a bedroom in their home in Manchester, working out the natural harmonies that were to become one of the distinguishing features of the Bee Gees' sound. Their talents were not exactly...

Happy Mondays A group of 6 musicians whose debut album should have been in the Guiness Book of Records on account of its title alone : "Happy Mondays' Squirrel and G-Man Twenty Four Hour Party People Plastic Face Carnt Smile (White Out)". The original group included Sean Ryder...

Herman's Hermits & Peter Noone This British band formed in 1963 and included Manchester-born Peter Noone (lead vocals), Keith Hopwood (guitar), Derek Leckenby (guitar), Karl Green (bass), and Barry Whitwarm (drums). Noone came to the forefront with his boyish looks and toothy smile, when...

Factory Records Documentary