4 August 2023

Vincent Gerard “Vini” Reilly was born
on 4 August 1953 in Blackley, Manchester.

Happy 70.

Before he started his musical career, he was a pretty good footballer who almost
made it to the glorious Manchester City‘s team. He formed The Durutti Column in
1978. The band’s name referred to the Durruti Column, an anarchist military unit
in the Spanish Civil War, named after Buenaventura Durruti.

The late great Tony Wilson, who always had a nose for particularly skilled
talent (Joy Division, New Order, A Certain Ratio, Happy Mondays and more) signed
them as his very first act on his legendary Factory Records label.

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His unique guitar talent and work got huge appreciation by big-name artists.
Sound wizard Brian Eno named DC’s second LP LC his all-time favourite and
Red Hot Chili Peppers’ John Frusciante said Reilly is “the best guitarist in the world”.

A couple of weeks ago he gave his first interview in years, talking
to British newspaper The Guardian. You can read it here.

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THE DURUTTI COLUMN: Bio – Discography – Instagram