The first manager of The Exponents, a New Zealand music legend and founder of a pioneering street postering company, has died after a long health battle.
Phantom Billstickers’ creator Jim Wilson died peacefully in his sleep, the company told the Herald this afternoon.
Wilson had been investigating anassisted death, but he died of natural causes.
“A billsticker, music promoter, the original champion of culture and the glue-and-paper rebellion, Jim built Phantom Billstickers from the streets up,” the company said.
“He turned posters into poetry, and his belief in the cultural voice of Aotearoa lives on in every frame, every site, and every story we share.”
Phantom Billstickers say they will be honouring Wilson’s life over the coming days and invite “those who knew him, or simply felt his presence in the cities he helped shape, to join us in reflection”.
Wilson is survived by his loving wife Kelly, his step-children Tessa and Andrew, and his grandchildren, Isaiah and Jaya.
The Herald published a feature article on Wilson’s life last month. You can read it here.
Wilson formed Phantom in Christchurch in 1982 with “a bundle of posters, a bucket of paste and a brush” before selling it in 1985 and buying it back in 1992.
He had a long and influential history with local music.
He was The Exponents’ first manager, back when they started out as Dance Exponents. On his recommendation, they were signed to Mushroom Records by Mike Chunn.
Jim Wilson (right) with Jordan Luck of The Exponents. Photo / Jim Wilson Collection
Flying Nun Records founder Roger Shepherd has previously credited Wilson with creating the Christchurch live music scene that fostered the first wave of groups on the label.
Phantom later ventured into Auckland and Wellington and has become a multi-million-dollar business, revolutionising the way poster advertising is operated.
Phantom Billstickers poster hangers at work on a Saturday morning in central Auckland.
Photo / Greg Bowker
“I can scarcely breathe to walk across the room and it seems like every day I have a brand new symptom. I’ve had lots of tests and nothing uncovers the problem. I’ve been hauled off to hospital in an ambulance countless times.”
Wilson says he is not afraid of dying but is fearful of “living this way for much longer”.
“I have found that the best thing to do with an impending death is to dream a lot. This helps press the bad thoughts out. Poetry also helps; it is a beautiful thing.
“The only regrets I have about an impending death are that I can’t take Kelly [his partner] with me, nor my dogs, nor my Volkswagens.”
