Richey Edwards
| Richey Edwards | |
|---|---|
On stage, London in 1993
|
|
| Born |
Richard James Edwards 22 December 1967 Blackwood, Caerphilly, Wales |
| Disappeared | 1 February 1995 (aged 27) Cardiff, Wales |
| Status | Missing for 21 years, 11 months and 21 days; legally dead on 23 November 2008 (aged 40) |
| Nationality | Welsh |
| Other names | Richey James, Richey Manic |
| Occupation | Musician, lyricist, songwriter |
| Years active | 1989–1995 |
| Musical career | |
| Genres | Alternative rock, hard rock, glam punk, post-punk, punk rock |
| Instruments | Guitar, piano, vocals |
| Labels | Columbia |
| Associated acts | Manic Street Preachers |
| Notable instruments | |
| Fender Telecaster Thinline | |
Richard James "Richey" Edwards (born 22 December 1967, disappeared c. 1 February 1995, officially presumed dead 23 November 2008) was a Welsh musician who was lyricist and rhythm guitarist of the alternative rock band Manic Street Preachers. He was known for his politicised and intellectual songwriting which, combined with an enigmatic and eloquent character, has assured him cult status, and he has been cited by some as a top class lyricist. Edwards disappeared on 1 February 1995. He was declared presumed deceased in November 2008. The ninth album by Manic Street Preachers, Journal for Plague Lovers, which was released on 18 May 2009, is composed entirely of lyrics left behind by Edwards.
Richey Edwards (often referred to during his years with Manic Street Preachers as Richey James) was born and raised in Blackwood, Caerphilly, Wales. He has one younger sister, Rachel, who was born in 1969. Edwards attended Oakdale Comprehensive School. From 1986 to 1989, Edwards attended University of Wales, Swansea and graduated with a 2:1 degree in political history.
Edwards was initially a driver and roadie for Manic Street Preachers, but he soon became accepted as the band's main spokesman and fourth member. Edwards showed little musical talent—his real contribution to Manic Street Preachers was in the words and design. More often than not he was miming on the guitar during early live performances, but was, along with bassist Nicky Wire, principal lyricist. Edwards is said to have written approximately 80% of the lyrics on The Holy Bible. Both are credited on all songs written before Edwards' disappearance, with Edwards receiving sole credit on three tracks from the 1996 album Everything Must Go, and co-writing credits on another two. Despite Edwards' lack of musical input, he nevertheless contributed to their overall musical direction, and according to the rest of the band on the Everything Must Go DVD, he played a leading role in deciding the approach of the band's sound. It is possible that had he not disappeared, the album that would have followed The Holy Bible would have been dramatically different from the melodic, accessible rock heard on Everything Must Go. Edwards expressed a desire to create a concept album described as "Pantera meets Nine Inch Nails meets Screamadelica". However, Bradfield has since expressed doubts over whether the band would have produced such an album: "I was worried that as chief tune-smith in the band I wasn't actually going to be able to write things that he would have liked. There would have been an impasse in the band for the first time born out of taste..."
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