The Third Member of The Durutti Column

Martin Hannett - "'People's Hero of the month' pin-up for August 1995"

The third Member of the Durutti Column was a promotional 13-minute film about producer Martin Hannett by Tosh Ryan produced to accompany the first four Factory Once Durutti Column CD reissues in 1996. It came packaged in an over-sized "clamshell" box with artwork by 8vo. The alternate title (as seen on tape label) is 'Close To Absolute Zero' (Martin Zero being Hannett's nickname).

A JPEG of the cover image was provided by the old Factory Too website for "desktop" use with the caption "And finally, the Buenaventura Durutti 'People's Hero of the month' pin-up for August 1995" and is reproduced here for posterity.

Transcript of the cover notes

The third Member of the Durutti Column

These four albums, by the finest pop instrumentalist of the last fifteen years, celebrate the work of Vini Reilly; they also feature, as manager, mentor and drummer, the great Bruce Mitchell.

But we also want to celebrate the founding role of legendary producer Martin Hannett.

It was Martin's idea to take a lone genius guitarist and by providing a unique aural / noise / rhythm background, allow this boy Vini to make great music and express himself on record.

The first album in this catalogue collection, "The Return of ..." was as much Martin Hannet's record as Vini's and in creating the possibilities inherent in that album, Martin had invented "The Durutti Column".

In respect of the role Martin played, we include in the paraphernalia for this catalogue release, a short film made by Martin's friend Tosh Ryan. It's the Hannett story.

And it gives an insight into just where this magic comes from.