Richey James Edwards

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Richard "Richey" James Edwards (born December 22, 1967 in Blackwood ; † (probably) February 1, 1995 ) is a Welsh musician who was guitarist and lyricist for the band Manic Street Preachers from 1989 to 1995 . On February 1, 1995, he disappeared without a trace in London . On November 23, 2008, he was declared “presumed dead” by a court order obtained by his parents .

Life

Richard James Edwards was born in Blackwood on December 22, 1967 . From 1986 to 1989 he studied political history at Swansea University . In 1989 he became the roadie and chauffeur of the band Manic Street Preachers, who released their debut single Suicide Alley around this time . He designed the cover, which is based on the debut album of the band The Clash . He soon became the figurehead and the fourth member of the alternative rock band. Edwards was not a talented guitarist and sometimes even mimed the guitar playing live. He was especially important as a lyricist for the band. He wrote all lyrics alongside Nicky Wire until 1995, while James Dean Bradfield and Sean Moore wrote the music.

In 1991 the Manic Street Preachers, and especially Richey Edwards, came to brief fame when he cut "4 Real" in his arm with a razor in an interview with Steven Lamacq for the NME when asked how serious the band are. The arm had to be sewn with 17 stitches. At this time he was already suffering from severe depression and exhibiting self-harming behavior . Some of his lyrics - especially on the album The Holy Bible - deal with these actions.

He played his last concert on December 21, 1994 - the day before his 27th birthday - at a gig that the Manic Street Preachers, Suede and Therapy? completed. The last track of the evening was You Love Us .

The Severn Bridge, England-Wales border, where Richey James' car was found

On February 1, 1995, Edwards disappeared without a trace. That day he was supposed to travel to the USA with Bradfield on a promotional tour. His car was later found at the Severn Bridge in Wales, a well-known suicide site. His whereabouts are still unknown today, some assume suicide - he would be a "member" of Club 27 - even if Edwards spoke out against suicide in an interview in 1993. Years later, the band pays 25% of the royalties into an account that Edwards would have access to if he returned.

On November 23, 2008, he was declared "presumed dead" . The band's album Journal for Plague Lovers , released in 2009, contains all lyrics that Edwards gave to his bandmates three weeks before his disappearance.

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ^ Missing guitarist "presumed dead" , BBC . November 24, 2008. Retrieved November 24, 2008. 
personal data
SURNAME Edwards, Richey James
ALTERNATIVE NAMES Edwards, Richard James (full name)
BRIEF DESCRIPTION Welsh musician
DATE OF BIRTH 22nd December 1967
PLACE OF BIRTH Blackwood , Wales , UK
DATE OF DEATH after February 1, 1995