Music news, album reviews and release dates, updated frequently

Factory Records co-founder Tony Wilson died Friday at the age of 57 of a heart attack while hospitalized for ongoing treatment for kidney cancer. Hugely instrumental in the Manchester music scene (especially during the 1980s), the one-time television presenter is best known for signing and managing bands like Joy Division, New Order and the Happy Mondays, and for co-founding the legendary dance club the Hacienda.

• Factory Records legend Anthony Wilson dies (NME)
• New Order pay tribute to Tony Wilson (NME)
• Peter Saville joins tributes to Tony Wilson (NME)
• Tony Wilson R.I.P. (Pitchfork)
• Joy Division/New Order Manager Wilson Dies (Billboard)

Spin.com gathers some final comments from the blogosphere on the imminent death of internet radio, courtesy of a huge increase in royalty rates set to go into effect July 15th barring a last-minute reprieve. …

Writing in Slate, Hua Hsu offers a lengthy essay on the LCD Soundsystem track “All My Friends,” which he calls “brilliant and deeply nostalgic.” …

The word “crunk” has made its way into Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary. The etymology is uncertain; according to the M-W folks, “It either comes from this blend of the words ‘crazy’ and ‘drunk,’ or it’s an alteration of ‘cranked up,’ meaning high-energy.” All we know is that with the huge number of new words added this year, that dictionary must be ginormous. …

Britain’s National Health Service may look great in Michael Moore’s new film “Sicko,” but Factory Records head Tony Wilson has a less rosy view of it after the NHS rejected his $7,000-a-month experimental cancer treatment. Fortunately, members of the Manchester music community have stepped in to fund the treatment for Wilson, who was diagnosed with kidney cancer last year. …

The newly-reformed Spice Girls will be the subject of a BBC documentary, which is expected to air this fall in conjunction with the group’s world tour. At least two new songs are also planned. …

The 1982 hip-hopumentary “Wild Style” is being re-released by Rhino on Sept. 18 in honor of its 25th anniversary, and it will be supplemented with new footage. The film includes appearances by Grandmaster Flash and the Rock Steady Crew.