Manchester unspun: pop, property and power in the original modern city by Andy Spinoza. Publishing February 2023.
How did Manchester’s post-industrial ruins, which inspired the world-famous Factory Records, Joy Division and the Hacienda, become a sky-high property boom dubbed ‘Manc-hattan’ – a metropolis
of conspicuous wealth, swagger and energy?
40 years after the legendary Hacienda’s launch, this new, exciting book by Andy Spinoza explains how Manchester’s leaders harnessed its founders’ radical anarchic visions to create the nation’s fastest-growing city. With key roles played by music and sporting legends, including Tony Wilson, Peter Hook, New Order, Peter Saville, Mick Hucknall, Sir Alex Ferguson and Gary Neville, this is an insider account of Manchester’s transformation.
Manchester unspun sorts the truth from the spin of the city’s stories to reveal a remarkable journey, describing the hubris, scandal, money and politics which played out during its remarkable reinvention.
Readers will enjoy the joyous mix of the author’s encounters with a who’s who of famous Mancunians, from Morrissey to Bernard Manning, Shaun Ryder to Sir Alex Ferguson, Frank Sidebottom to Andy Burnham, with walk-on parts from Muhammad Ali, George Foreman, Anna Friel, Lemn Sissay, Caroline Aherne, Mick Hucknall and Jonathan Ross.
Andy says:
“Manchester unspun is an account from punk to the pandemic of how the 1982 opening of the Hacienda gave the kiss of life to a dying city centre, and of the chain reaction it began leading to today’s dynamic international city. It’s also a memoir of my experiences working with the famous personalities in music, football, business and politics who made Manchester the most headline grabbing city in the UK.”
Andy Spinoza has lived in Manchester since 1979, as a student, entrepreneur, publisher, journalist, gossip columnist and PR supremo. He has met, interviewed, irritated and worked with just about anyone of note in the city in the last four decades
Manchester Unspun is available to purchase from the following sellers
MUP website Manchester University Press – Manchester unspun
Bookshop.org Manchester Unspun: Pop, Property and Power in the Original Modern City a book by Andy Spinoza. (bookshop.org)
Waterstone’s Manchester Unspun by Andy Spinoza | Waterstones
Blackwell’s Manchester Unspun : Andy Spinoza : 9781526168450 : Blackwell’s (blackwells.co.uk)