Richey Edwards

With appropriately little fanfare, Richard James Edwards has officially been declared "presumed dead" almost 14 years since he disappeared in February 1995. Although there is still no confirmation as to whether he's alive or dead (and various possible sightings have been reported over the years) obituaries have been published regarding the guitarist and lyricist from the Manic Street Preachers, who if alive would turn 41 later this month.

A few weeks ago it was announced that the next Manic Street Preachers album, tentatively titled Journal For Plague Lovers would feature lyrics written solely by Edwards, and Nicky Wire told the NME that 'it's a follow-up to The Holy Bible in a lot of ways'.

The band have always behaved respectfully towards their missing member, in a manner reminiscent of Pink Floyd and Syd Barrett, and if the forthcoming album is anything like Floyd's Wish You Were Here then it will be well worth hearing.

See also:
Manic Street Preachers - Generation Terrorists