The Missing Boy

April 18, 2013 7:47 AM

An extraordinarily raw interview with Vini Reilly, guitarist with the Durutti Column. Recorded at the Manchester Town Hall on Sunday, March 3rd 2013, he discusses his violent upbringing, his lifelong struggle with depression, his friendship with Ian Curtis, and his determination to continue playing music despite suffering a series of debilitating strokes. The recording culminates with his first public performance in two years. Previously in MeFi
posted by misterbee (10 comments total)

An otherwise unremarkable ex will always have a special place in my heart for introducing me to the Durutti Column, and especially this song. Thanks for posting.
posted by googly at 7:51 AM on April 18, 2013 [2 favorites]

An hour long: I'm going to sit down and give this the attention it deserves. Thanks for posting, misterbee. Keep Breathing, indeed, however hard it can seem.
posted by hydatius at 8:35 AM on April 18, 2013

I know nothing about Vini Reilly/Durutti Column except that he's a person/that's a thing and this man has been instrumental to many of the most interesting recordings in history. Time to get learnin'. Thanks Mr. Bee.
posted by blue t-shirt at 9:04 AM on April 18, 2013

It should also be mentioned that due to his strokes and inability to play he reached a real low a few months ago, and was sadly entirely broke and unable to pay his rent. His nephew put a call out on FB and a people came forth to help out. {Link to the Guardian UK}

That's an awesome song Googly. Reilly's pieces are usually so delicate, and it's good to hear all that subtle background feedback.

My first introduction to The Durutti Column was from the LP Bread and Circuses. {Tomorrow}when it was getting play on college radio in the mid-80s.
posted by Skygazer at 9:32 AM on April 18, 2013

Wow the music at the end is really rough but beautiful. You can hear his fingers aren't always doing what he wants them to, but the determination is just incredible.
posted by anazgnos at 9:59 AM on April 18, 2013 [1 favorite]

Jesus. That's a hard listen at times. Harrowing and brutal, but he's still with us, and how strong. I'm so glad you posted it, and I'm so glad I listened to it (and the last ten minutes, through tears). Fuck fucking depression.

I'm going to get myself a gun/And use it on myself. I'll never listen to that song again in quite the same way.

I so hope this event drives people to and through the charity it was in support of, and I hope that Vini Reilly continues to hear the music for many more years to come.
posted by hydatius at 10:48 AM on April 18, 2013

Jesus. I hadn't heard about any of this, yet I listen to the old albums all the time. He's one of the Most Important Guitarists, and hugely influential. I can't check any of this out from work, but bookmarked for later.
posted by Slarty Bartfast at 1:00 PM on April 18, 2013

I was trying so hard to remember this band's name last Friday. I got really into them during my chillwave phase. Looking forward to listening.
posted by azarbayejani at 1:16 PM on April 18, 2013

There's a man who put more than his share of good in the world. Very moving, thanks.
posted by Abiezer at 6:09 PM on April 18, 2013

After 30 years of listening to his music and the occasional interview, my idea of Vini was of a softly-spoken, wry, self-deprecating soul, perhaps a little over-sensitive and ill-equipped to deal with everyday life.

I had no idea how much hardship he'd actually suffered, and listening to him talk frankly about his troubles and valiantly struggle through that guitar piece at the end, I'm just in awe of his fortitude, his humanity, and his strength.

He's one of my heroes, simple as that.
posted by misterbee at 8:34 PM on April 18, 2013 [4 favorites]