Biography
Reilly was born in Heaton Park, Higher Blackley, Manchester, and raised in Withington, Wythenshawe and Didsbury, all also areas of Manchester. His father was an engineer who did not allow his five children to watch television. His death saddened Vini, who was 16 at the time, and laments it today because he didn't admire or know him enough. As a child, he played a lot of football, and was even offered a trial for Manchester City F.C., but he declined, opting to concentrate on music.
His first recorded work was Ed Banger & The Nosebleeds' "Ain't Bin To No Music School".
Reilly was Tony Wilson's first signing to Manchester's iconic label, Factory Records. Reilly's music is respected by fellow musicians and those in the music industry, with Brian Eno citing Reilly's album LC as his all-time favorite album and former Red Hot Chili Peppers' John Frusciante stating that Vini Reilly is "the best guitarist in the world".
Reilly arranged music and played guitar on fellow Manchester artist Morrissey's debut album Viva Hate in 1988. Reilly has also recorded with artists including John Cooper Clarke, Pauline Murray, Anne Clark, The Wake, Richard Jobson, Quando Quango, Craig Davies, Swing Out Sister and Holly Johnson. He also attempted to produce the Happy Mondays' debut Forty Five E.P., but found that he simply could not work with the band.
In September 2010, Vini suffered a "minor" stroke which made him lose "some feeling in his left hand”. Despite this, in February 2011 it was reported that he is working in a new album. The new tracks are slower because after the stroke he can't play as fast as he used to.
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