The Rockstar Who Vanished (Richey Edwards)

[@flossyphp]

He was declared presumed dead in 2008, so his parents have control of his estate, including the bank account you mentioned. I can't imagine how hard this has been for them, but they have never given up hope.

[@MrThedonhead]

What they took his money??

[@curiositypiqued6573]

@@MrThedonhead stupid

[@pobstrel]

Both of his parents are dead now. So his sister has control over Richey's money.

[@dravendean8710]

@@MrThedonhead next of kin aren't they

[@FrankieBlueEyes]

​@MrThedonhead he was declared dead, so yes.

[@hayley7090]

I met Richey briefly after a Manics gig in October 1994. He was a quiet, thoughtful guy....and incredibly handsome. Much missed. I would say he is dead. I find it extremely unlikely that he would walk away from his family just like that. He was troubled but he wasn't cruel.

[@richardoneill3316]

well his parents have passed since then......so i'm sure they'll now know full well if he's alive or dead !

[@GKrips-h3w]

Have you read the biography on Richey?

[@verucasalt9182]

@@GKrips-h3whis friend in school disputes the allegation of being a depressed guy and I think it has ties with that producer in London ….

[@EnglanE_]

On The Holy Bible tour? Lucky you! ❤

[@EnglanE_]

On The Holy Bible tour? Lucky you! ❤

[@ashman2576]

Richey and the rest of the Manics created some of the most thought provoking and powerful music in the early 90s, the fact they are not considered one of the best bands of all time is absurd. The Manics are amazing, The Holy Bible is arguably the darkest and most disturbing album ive ever heard, and its sensational!

[@jimbojones101]

Bollox.

[@Lastiri2004]

Its funny how a bunch of talentless jerks Like Oasis became huge and MSP became like a cult thing outside the UK and Europe. But i guess its a good thing in retrospective.

[@ashman2576]

@@Lastiri2004 I wished for their sakes, they were hugely popular, but musically the Manics would not be the same if they ever reached the levels of popularity like Oasis did. From a musical standpoint them being underrated allows them to keep making the amazing politically charged music they still do to this day.

[@ashman2576]

@@jimbojones101 Bollox to what?? haha

[@WhatwouldRoddyPiperdo]

@@ashman2576 ignore him, one of those perpetually alone kids this is his only window to the world it's depressing how many kids don't have a single mate anymore they make it so obvious.

[@Katiebop89]

Sadly, I do believe he jumped from the Severn River, as much as the alternative story is a nicer story. Richey was sadly heavily depressed, anorexic and in the mid 1990's depression wasn't even spoken about, let alone men. As someone who suffers with bipolar, PTSD and depression, those moments are crushing and there comes a point where some just can't cope anymore. Richie disappeared on my 6th birthday. I genuinely hope wherever he is now, he is happy and at peace.

[@justmadeit2]

Depression when it gets to a certain level is truly horrific and scary. How are you doing now?

[@rotkulture13]

Stay Beautiful Richey wherever you are right now.. Thanks Deburke for covering this topic, Manic Street Preachers is one of my favorite Bands

[@mirceadobarta9533]

Also worth mentioning is that the Manics 2009 album Journal for Plague Lovers features the last lyrics that Richey gave to the band

[@WhatwouldRoddyPiperdo]

The way James managed to shoehorn Richey's lyrics into those songs are amazing "Hermann the bull Tracey the ship transgenic milk containing human protein"

[@InkAndPoet]

God, I HOPE the escape story you talked about is what happened. So many musicians crumble under the pressures of fame and often express it in the most extreme and saddening ways. If Ritchie did in fact just leave to a new country, it's still extreme, but at least he chose happiness over darkness.

[@jonvia]

The music industry is a dangerous monster if musicians think its a soft and comfortable environment. Its not! Im a songwriter and performing musician myself. Ive been in gigging and touring bands and writing professionally since 2012. You gotta protect your work at every corner and always be self analyzing especially when you have big advances (loaned out money from a label) to re-coop and big career decisions to make on your own.

[@thesoundlikechameleons2082]

His name is Richey NOT Ritchie.

[@nicholamc2629]

Richey was incredibly family oriented. I don’t think he’s living somewhere in seclusion as I don’t think he’d cope with the pain this would inflict on his loved ones.

[@beatnik6806]

Yeah hopefully he didn't join the 27 club..

[@GKrips-h3w]

I read the book they mentioned, and am in two minds. Have you read it?

[@harveyg73]

Thanks for covering this Deburke. The Manics are my favourite band and it's such a tragedy what ended up happening. I hope he is happy wherever he is.

[@eightiesmusic1984]

James and Nicky were both bullied at school but clearly have had the last laugh for the longest time. They and Sean have honoured the memory of their friend Richie ever since he disappeared. I saw James do a talk with John Niven over 10 years ago- he was humble and engaging. He was so nice to a fan outside afterwards who spoke to him. A great memory me and my wife appreciated being witness to. Their music throughout their career has been superb and they just keep on being better with every release.

[@joanodom2104]

What a lovely comment.

[@briancarballo1194]

👏👏👏

[@kellie5476]

My dad still has his NME magazine with Richey on the front with "4 real" freshly carved on his arm.

[@mikemurray2590]

❤

[@MarcoNegrisEye]

I met them twice in the early 90's, second time in 94. Still have my 'Life Becoming A Landslide' vinyl that was signed by all four. I don't actually remember the first time in 1991 as I was only 9 years old. My uncle was ALL OVER the music scene and would take me to so many gigs. Always through side exits and backdoors etc, wish I could remember even half of those gigs 😂

[@lady.stardust-tn3um]

The glamorisation of mental illness. Horrible.

[@ering.3978]

Wow, I've never heard of this band before, but this is a fascinating story so I'm curious to hear their music now! Also couldn't help but be reminded of Pink Floyd and Syd Barrett the whole time, not only because (to me) Richey kind of resembled Syd, but the erratic behavior that included head shaving, the band moving on without him yet never being the same, and even setting money aside for him. Rock history definitely repeats itself!

[@lil_baby_nothing]

Thank you for covering this story. It doesn’t get discussed enough these days as it should. I’ve been following this story for years and am an enormous fan of the band and Richey especially. I would absolutely love to believe he succeeded in escaping, but in my opinion, I feel like his mental health eventually took its toll on him before he could fulfil his plan. I just hope that wherever he is now, a monk in the mountains, a secret ghostwriter or passed on, that he is finally at peace.

[@ladyhonor822]

HISTORY= HIS STORY...🌹

[@dukesilver9704]

Richey is one of the most relatable "public figures" for me. I'm not adept at guitar, yet passionate about music. I've always been on the thinner side and used to struggle with an eating disorder. The battles with mental health as well. I just wish I had his intelligence and poetry, lol. I hope Richey's at peace, wherever he may be. It's a damn shame he wasn't there with the Manics when they went massive with Everything Must Go. Richey will live on forever ❤️

[@ltamha]

Thank you for sharing this story, I remember getting into the MSP as a teenager and was crushed when I heard about Richie. Here's hoping he's safe, happy and well, wherever he may be now.

[@shaunslirobberF6944]

hes alive and lives back in the valleys

[@thesoundlikechameleons2082]

@@shaunslirobberF6944 and you know this 100? 🤣

[@melissawright1979]

​@@shaunslirobberF6944 And you know that for certain? He would have been found by now if that was the case

[@shaunslirobberF6944]

@@melissawright1979 hes in blackwood near newport gwent

[@shaunslirobberF6944]

he lives blackwood near newport gwent

[@BulkernatorKerb]

The editing for this and use of interview footage is top-notch. Really shows what was going on between the lines in this sad story. Great work

[@deburke321]

Thanks a million Liam!

[@ColinsCity]

that audio recording of the people at the magazine is more than likely why richey was so fed up of these magazines talking about their music, they think they know everything and can decide what is artistic or not. This type of attitude is incredibly infuriating even just hearing it in that audio recording, having to deal with that constantly in real life must definitely have taken it's toll on the band.

[@Tremonster261]

Richey was a very intelligent and well read guy, but he was also suffering from anorexia and serious depression. While he may have been clever enough to pull off a staged disappearance, and back in 1995 it would have been far easier to do than today, I just don’t think he would have had the mental capacity to do it. For starters, going on the run isn’t the grand romantic adventure it may seem, he would have given up all his close fiends and family. We know he had a close brother-like relationship with Nicky Wire and I think he was also close with his sister. Richey always seemed like a compassionate guy and I don’t think he could live with the guilt of his friends and family not knowing what happened to him. As much as I’d like to believe he’s still alive and found happiness, unfortunately I do think he took his own life by jumping off the Severn bridge. I’m sure I read recently that the police actually got the timelines of his disappearance wrong, and to me this would indicate that their search for him at the time was botched pretty badly. They did search around and in the Severn river, but probably not particularly thoroughly. And it can be very difficult sometimes to find a body underwater anyway. My belief is that he’s no longer with us, however I’m thankful for his contribution to the Manics while he was still with us. The Holy Bible is a brutal beast of an album and still my favourite Manics album.

[@pobstrel]

Agree. People who disappear and start new lives might be troubled but are often running away from financial problems or they are too cowardly to end a relationship. In his case his depression would have prevented him just moving away and somehow becoming happy. As obviously you take your mind and problems with you. He has discussed with the band about not touring and just staying at home writing lyrics but changed his mind as he would have been lonely.

[@TisTheDamnStickSeason]

One of the greatest and probably THE bravest lyricists ever. He wasn't afraid to just lay it all out raw and rotten. Especially on Holy Bible.

[@bigmaryhelen]

Thanks for this. It was very well done, and very sensitive. I loved the line at the end about letting a little bit of light into a very dark room. As a working class kid, MSP, and Richey in particular, massively inspired me to read difficult books. They did more for me than school.

[@fredzep01]

That's a heavy thing the band did, there are not many bands that would set aside 25 percent of their earnings to somebody that might not even come back.

[@idk-hh9kz]

One of the most underrated bands in history. The holy bible is one of the best rock albums ever incredible lyrics and music. Richey Manic was a genius in every sense of the word.

[@AnAdorableWombat1]

Best rock albums ever though???? That is a gigantic stretch!

[@DylanPank71]

06:31 That gig happened in my hometown, in the Norwich Arts Centre. I won't pretend that I was there - I've lost count of the number of people I met who claimed to be at "that 4 REAL gig" and then said it was in Cardiff, Newcastle, Hull, Bristol, etc. I had a friend who *was* there and he said it was a rather shambolic gig and the Manics were pretty terrible, apart from James Dean Bradfield who my friend (who is a musician) said was an amazing guitarist, but half the time the band couldn't actually get through entire songs without falling apart. If I recall correctly he said that Bradfield came back on after the band had left and did a small solo encore. Bear in mind this is me remembering a conversation I had over 30 years ago with someone who himself was recalling a event where he might have been slightly drunk anyway. The way he described it at the time, it seems the banter between the band and the audience was much more hostile than is described here, and I do know that Norwich audiences at the time could be pretty mocking to bands they didn't take seriously, and The Manics were really into the whole "we are the second coming" thing. I can imagine a bunch of Norfolk yokels shouting "Get your fucking hair cut" or "Play Freak Scene" continuously, and then capping it with "Plastic Punks" (as we were wont to do) when they were doing songs like Motorcycle Emptiness or You love Us might have bruised their somewhat enormous egos at the time. The NME was staffed by some of the biggest pricks in journalism at the time. ironically Lamacq was probably one of the more decent and level headed, but not long after this the NME did a 180˚ and lauded them as pretty much the greatest thing ever, though possibly this is because Steven Wells, one of the big swinging dicks of the NME staff, had some sort of business arrangement with them which included directing some of their music videos.

[@adelaney537]

I hope wherever Richey is he is safe and happy above all I hope he has peace of mind.

[@outlawJosieFox]

You cannot interpret Richie's actions as meaningful if he was suffering from a psychotic break. He may well have visited the passport centre and got cash out and said this and that but none of that was necessarily logical in the ordinary sense. As someone who suffers from depression and had a psychotic episode many decades ago I can tell you that the individual has their own paranoid story going on in the background and actions are not necessarily available for us to explain. Sadly the poor young man took his own life. We all have an interior monologue but psychosis and depression is when you turn against yourself and attack yourself constantly. Logic does not come into it when you get malnourished and sleep deprived through paranoid delusional thinking. The body and mind break down. We are all that breakable in the end.

[@Bertaut]

I'm not a massive MSP fan, but there's no doubt Edwards was a lyrical genius.

[@johnbarry1965]

The Holy Bible is an absolutely amazing lacerating crawl into the depths of human emotional turmoil and angst.

[@davidround6454]

Fantastic band Had the pleasure of watching Richie With the guys in Wolverhampton early 90s

[@drk321]

This is the same way I feel. Amazing band, great songs and lyrics. Not the best band ever as some seem to think.

[@bronzergoth7598]

his lyrics on "Faster" hit me like a brick when i first heard the song. what a poet he was

[@xn-triq7607]

"if you tolerate this, then your children will be next"....... Absolute truth!

[@rbarnett3200]

I honestly don't know what could've been done for Richey. He couldn't really be sectioned even though he was clearly a danger to himself. He was 'rational' in his behaviour but erratic. If someone is determined to end their life there really is only so much you can do. Don't get me wrong, do everything you possibly can to help them, but sometimes it's just impossible to stop someone so determined. It's tragic, but I'm fairly certain he passed away voluntarily.

[@snaithhenderson85]

Watch rich planet tv on this subject much more indepth

[@melissawright1979]

He went to a couple rehabs. One of them just drugged him and turned him into zombie. The other just forced God down his throat. Back then, they didn't seem to tackle mental health from root of the problem. They just glossed it over.

[@melissawright1979]

​@@snaithhenderson85 I've watched that, it's AMAZING! I loved every second of it

[@melissawright1979]

I am OBSESSED with Richey. Thank you so much for this video, it's nice to see that more and more people are getting to learn Richey's story.

[@INTJ91]

Poor Richey. He knew where life was going and couldn’t hack it. I think he recognised that many didn’t take the Manics seriously, that they probably weren’t making a massive amount of money, that their career was short lived. Where else to go from there? The reality for him was living in Cardiff Bay and, what, potentially getting a day job in an office? His mental health struggles were very, very real. I sometimes think he talked himself into a very dark and nihilistic place he couldn’t crawl out of. Then the eating disorder started. And the drinking. If you look at him from 1991 to late 1995 it is like looking at two different people completely. The light just left his eyes completely. How anyone can deny his suicide for favour of the theory of him ‘living on a beach somewhere’ is beyond me. He clearly took his own life.

[@pobstrel]

Without a body you have no proof that he's dead.

[@cmp1868]

You very well me right-however there is much to the story. Above all else he was absolutely obsessed with the film 'Eddie and the Cruisers,' a film about an artist goes missing-similar to how he did-fakes a death to live a life severed from his family and friends for anonymity. He also told his sister a month or so before that he had 'done it,' telling her he'd figured out a way to disappear. All this coupled with no body-you just have to wonder. Richey was very smart....the simple fact is he could have vanished on purpose without suicide.

[@NeglectedField]

@@cmp1868I mean, I don't say this out of 'cope' (I do accept some people off themselves and that's that) but for me the fact he's drawn out all that money and gone to the passport office favours the escape narrative. And the whole randomly speaking in cockney thing - maybe he was practising his new fake persona on that taxi driver? That said, for all my MSP fandom, I can't recall the Israel thing, only the Goa/Canaries stuff. In any case, those aren't huge places though, and he'll have to have changed his appearance and/or kept on the move to escape the proverbial net. Especially as many Brits love those kinda places as holiday destinations. There's also another possibility that he may well have died or taken his own life after he made his escape, however many years down the line. I also speculate on things like, how much solitude some people can deal with. You can be all "I'm gonna escape and live a secluded life" and romanticise it but you don't actually know how well you cope with it until you do it. And one may also pass a point of no return where it's too late to resurface and go "sorry, I had a funny turn" and then face the extreme discomfort of dealing with the anguish you've caused and/or the ways in which people have moved on (that no sum of money would mollify). But I dunno, there's too many possibilities and I think the best one can say is to hope he's at peace and to hope his loved ones find solace in the high likelihood that he found it one way or another, in life or death.

[@verucasalt9182]

@@cmp1868his friend wrote a book about him and Richie was not the depressed chap that we are lead to believe. He signed a contract with a producer that specifically asked them to write depressive songs if they wanted to be signed. That is the key. He got fed up of the charade and the only option accepted was to fake his death . The records company basked in his death and he can keep earning his royalties somewhere else without keep selling his soul . Thus is probably the truth of many bands that get forced to introduce harmful themes in their lyrics for social engineering. Depeche mode keeps coming into mind ….

[@dsnodgrass4843]

I think he's still walking the planet, myself. By 1995, the writing was beginning to appear on the wall for the British rock of the day; and he would've perceived that, even if it took a couple more years for the party to truly end. He was a writer, not a musician, don't forget. He didn't want to be a cultural dinosaur (in his view) with a guitar he barely could play. In 1996, the music industry consolidated as a result of a major American law that saw huge mergers in radio and recording, that changed the business (for the worse) to this very day. He got out, and reinvented himself before that happened. If he did, he's my age now. I wish him well.

[@pobstrel]

95, 96 and 97 were successful years for British rock bands. Especially for the Manics. Their most successful albums were in 96 and 98.

[@FLAVCO]

I lived in Israel a few times from 1993 - 1996. I’m pretty sure that Richey would have been recognised over there as there were thousands of westerners/Brits visiting Israel around that time and The Manics were very well known by then!

[@verucasalt9182]

No if you change your appearance. After a few years no one will recognise you .

[@opethinmynines]

You covered this beautifully, thank you.

[@deevineinterventions]

Clever and highly sensitive guy. I hope that he's out there living life away from the fame he hated, and off grid away from the ugliness of society that he hated. Although sadly he might of ended his life, but left a trail that would leave his family to think he's just off on his own other than leaving his loved ones with grief and pain..Richey manic was a great part of the band, his materiel is deep dark and raw. He's also so beautiful in my opinion, reminds me somewhat of a male Edie Sedgwick!

[@Man_fay_the_Bru]

Because clever people carve words into them all the time eh🤦‍♂️

[@Man-From-Another-Place]

@@Man_fay_the_Bru Being clever doesn't preclude him from being mentally ill.

[@harley_the_hack4416]

Great video as always! Poor Richey...I get it was the early 90s and hindsight is 20/20, but damn it's horrible how those journalists talked about him. He really was screaming for help. I hope the theory that he got out is what happened. He's somewhere living low key discussing geopolitical issues with close friends and feels healed....

[@wendyhandley9463]

NME was such a smug paper, the writers, frustrated wanted to be musicians, it was all sarcasm and self importance, it had nothing to do with music, I feel sorry for Richie having to even converse with that idiot lamak

[@BlackRain_]

Richard D Hall's analysis and documentary on Richey Edwards is the best analysis yet. Shame YT kicked Hall off YT.

[@David-pv4yl]

The analysis and documentary is still available to view on his website.

[@katemara667]

Hall's 'analysis' is conspiracy theory nonsense.

[@JediBunny]

You did a beautiful job covering this. So well-written and put together. I can sense your appreciation of their raw passion for music and empathy for Richey as well. I do hope the story had a happy ending, but suppose it’s more-so possible we’ll never know either way.

[@deburke321]

Thank you so much I really appreciate that!

[@jackhargreaves1911]

Horrible to hear those snide London music paper types laughing at Richie’s self-harming (which marked the beginning of his downward spiral). I hope they are ashamed of themselves now, but I doubt they are. Lamaq got the tone completely wrong in his ‘interview’ in which he harangued Richie (especially) from start to finish for being a phoney - then he had the cheek to be shocked when Richey cracked. I remember being horrified at the time by Richie’s dramatic weight-loss between gigs I attended. I was seriously worried he would die from his anorexia. Poor Richie. We would do better by him these days…

[@werdna1690]

I remember Kerrang every week giving you an update on the number of days he was missing

[@Steve-K.G.]

This still breaks my heart 😞 Thanks for the upload.

[@thesoundlikechameleons2082]

I chatted to Sean Moore the drummer of Manic Street Preachers in December 2020. Never once did I mention anything about Richey Edwards. I have decency towards musicians unlike the media who are just bloody rude and full of 💩. amazingly friendly, talkative and was relaxed chatting with me. - C 19 - 02 - 2023

[@thedolly7596]

Ha ha. Yeh me too. He does just love interacting with his fans 😮 😉 though, especially on tour 😉 😮😅

[@jonvia]

The music industry is a dangerous monster if musicians think its a soft and comfortable environment. Its not! Im a songwriter and performing musician myself. Ive been in gigging and touring bands and writing professionally since 2012. You gotta protect your work at every corner and always be self analyzing especially when you have big advances (loaned out money from a label) to re-coop and big career decisions to make on your own.

[@waynesilverman3048]

Carnt be comfy when your travelling a lot ,probably best I never made it ,I remember thinking that I had so many songs that some told me was good made me think I had a chance getting a publishing deal but now gigging is the cash I arnt that bothered, I can imagine paranoia getting up other levels drug come down s ect

[@Man_fay_the_Bru]

I’m quite happy playing for myself, I get the best audience🤷‍♂️

[@stiiimes]

there's always something new to discover. and if there isn't, that just means it's your turn to create it. never give up, whoever is reading this 🖤

[@Tom-uv7ry]

Absolute meaningless twaddle you are thinking you are being wise and witty lol

[@briancarballo1194]

👏👏👏

[@mcswordfish]

Manics have been one of my favourite bands since I was a teenager - I hold them at least partially responsible for my marriage. When I was in a band in high school, our setlist was around 50% Manics songs (closing with You Love Us, because we were cocky 15yr olds). I've always hoped that Richey lives and that he found some peace, though the older I get, the more pessimistic I become about that. I'll also add that I'm one of those weird fans who prefers Gold Against the Soul to The Holy Bible. The Holy Bible is definitely their magnum opus, but I prefer listening to GOAT. It's sad and angry, but doesn't reach the levels of despondancy and vitriol that The Holy Bible does.. I also really like the guitar work on it - it's a great sounding album

[@Man-From-Another-Place]

Yeah - 'Gold Against the Soul' is my go-to Manics album these days. Years ago, I listened to 'The Holy Bible' a lot, but I find it too bleak now, great though it is.

[@oliver91ist]

It's a complex story that you did very well. I have another musician disappearance you could do, her name was Connie Converse, she has only become known years after she disappeared and she needs to be talked about.

[@deburke321]

Thank Ollie, I’ll definitely look into it sounds interesting!

[@jackyhawkins1895]

I've watched some videos about Connie Converse. Fascinating woman , very interesting 👍

[@Man_fay_the_Bru]

Never heard of her

[@skudd123]

Thanks for sharing. Another interesting story involving a musician who disappeared is one time Iron Butterfly bassist Philip Taylor Kramer, who actually went on to work in high tech science fields looking at developing facial recognition communication technology & even time travel tech. Interesting guy

[@johncasarino5627]

that bit at the end where the band opened a bank account for him kills me, humans are so innocent in a sense "I hope my mate comes back" man that crushes me, so sad

[@ceebee491]

Richey Edwards wrote a masterpiece in The Holy Bible. I remember the day he went missing.

[@Jf2jf2jf2]

Wow the ending about the bank account made me cry

[@bhamacuk]

A good level headed, objective and balanced account of this mystery. I grew up in Cardiff but personally I never saw them knocking around town unfortunately. Although come to think of it, I would not have known as they weren't famous then.

[@deburke321]

Thank you I appreciate that a lot!

[@annabrisley479]

This was so interesting tx!! never knew a thing about this. It's rare to find something on KZbin that's not been discussed already. Very well done 🇿🇦

[@Healingpowerofmusic_Corruption]

There’s a pub here in Cardiff named after the man who disappeared - the one that Richey admired

[@iced.autumn]

I wish I knew of this band. Especially back in the day. This breaks my heart to see some of Richey's pictures. He was in immense pain and it was obvious. I hope with all my heart that the second theory was true and he made it out and is safe and happy somewhere in the world 🖤 Another great video! You always bring new topics to the table and it is really interesting to hear about different things from other countries. I get sick of all the US crap lol. 🫀Happy Valentine's Day everyone! 🫀

[@shaunslirobberF6944]

hes alive and lives wales in the valleys ...fact

[@Roscoe.P.Coldchain]

Haha great comment ❤👍

[@shaunslirobberF6944]

@@Roscoe.P.Coldchain well it is true i come from wales and he quite happy man away from crap

[@shaunslirobberF6944]

i write songs lyrics and stopped as i dont want to get to that pint where everyone believes it my concience is mine my opinions solid but like to be proved wrong ..

[@nigelcarren]

In 94 one of the Manics phoned me at my work in Rugby Warwickshire. "Hey Nigel... It's the Manics" to say they had received my demo, they loved my screaming and my passion but weren't buying other artists material so wished me luck and that was that. I was so starstruck because I had seen them on TV just before performing Motorcycle Emptiness. Yet at the same time I was so impressed with their down to earth attitude I forgot that I was a factory electrician... Just two musicians chatting about structure! That was 29 years ago and I am STILL songwriting. I have recently backed up the songs I wrote between 2018 and 2020 and it is 220 song sketches. This is the reason I don't sleep! In February this year I went to the doctors to try and get something to help me sleep for the first time. Now this message isn't about me, it's about Richey Edwards who I may or may not have spoken to on that day. Because if he was experiencing anything like I live with, the music, the noise, the lyrics the rhythms, the riffs, just NEVER STOP! And ALL these songs are written to help with the pain.... I didn't decide to do this!!! I have been to that place where I have thought about ending it all, and it's only two things that stop me, 1) I have dedicated my whole life to this and I ain't about to throw all those tears away! 2) I know that when I finally get my stuff out there it will help a couple of other people who might be lost and the rest will probably enjoy the giggle! 😉 For me it's no coincidence the 27 club exists, because for TRUE creatives whom are often not performers, it is one hell of a rollercoaster ride and I guess sometimes especially if they have made their name, it is just easier to step off. Bless you all especially those who are struggling, and if you are.... make SURE you have a musical instrument to hand! Best wishes from an Englishman making armour and music in a French forest. Life is tough, but well worth the fight! ⚒️💪🎶 ♥️🇬🇧

[@brendakrieger7000]

Thanks for sharing this story

[@deburke321]

No worries I appreciate you watching it!

[@brendakrieger7000]

@@deburke321 Absolutely!

[@lidelse666]

i really do think richey passed away. he was a deeply troubled man, struggling with anorexia, alcoholism, and self harm (among other things). i believe it just became too much for him one day, and he left the hotel with the intention of taking his life. his car was found at severn bridge, and it’s well known among locals that it’s a spot where people go to end their lives. love the manics and always will, punkest non-punk band to ever exist.

[@jesterssketchbook]

As a Manic's fan - this is gonna be a tough-watch, isnt it?

[@drexlspivey5828]

He definitely died around the time he disappeared, 100% He was very close to his parents, he wouldn't have put them through that much pain for 20 years, killing himself doesn't sound logical in that situation either but people will do crazy things in a moment of madness, but knowingly putting his parents through years and years of that when all he had to do was call them? No chance

[@BoleDaPole]

Suicide is never logical

[@thesoundlikechameleons2082]

That's your assumption. You have no actual proof.

[@drexlspivey5828]

@@thesoundlikechameleons2082 it is not an assumption that he was close to his parents and wouldn't have gone 20 years without contacting them, that is an absolute fact

[@thesoundlikechameleons2082]

@drexlspivey5828 Yes that's your opinion.

[@ladyhonor822]

Yeah I thought I knew my best friend 😸😸

[@fredzep01]

Let's hope the lad was just jaded by the shallow rock star life, and he escaped it to have a more meaningful life. Depressions a bastard.

[@amymuchko7106]

This is a surprisingly touching story. The part at the end where they gave Richie 25% made me cry I was so nice. It was actually uplifting to hear that on Kurt Cobain's birthday.

[@thesoundlikechameleons2082]

Richey NOT Richie

[@youssefd6187]

your channel needs more love bro incredible

[@bettyboop-xg6jo]

Let's hope he is living his best life ever somewhere.

[@catibeaulieu4244]

And if you tolerate this then your children will be next … a thought for his friends and family Rest in light beautiful deep fragile sensitive soul 🙏🏽🖤

[@caseykaiser3313]

Really interesting video, thanks for making it!

[@deburke321]

Thanks for watching!

[@LJW12MCFC]

My favourite band and favourite lyricist!

[@ADHDIYuk]

I remember when he disappeared, the music press was talking about it for weeks.

[@michaelmoran2691]

I was in Goa India in December 96 Where they was some talk that he had been seen in the Goa area and that's all I know and won't add any bs to make my story sound anymore true And I just hope that where ever his soul is he's doing better than he was in the spotlight GODBLESS 🍀

[@AnAdorableWombat1]

I’m glad you did a video on this case! Even though he is dead, his case has always been weird to me

[@andrew69007]

Damn. That interview at 13:40 where he’s explaining his depressed world view and the interviewer is just laughing at him, not taking him seriously whatsoever. I’ve had those exact thoughts, it’s sad to see him being laughed at while he essentially lays all this thoughts out on the table. Being vulnerable and getting laughed at for it is the worst. The media really did treat him like trash as he cried out for help. But like you said, it was a different time.

[@ClandestineRecords]

Yeah, it was cringe...

[@MaeniExternalMemory]

I have to say it was a crap move, but it seems to be how the intervewer acts in most videos when someone is talking about anything. He was probably awkward and didn't know how to respond, which I know is no help to the person suffering.

[@philpants44]

different time unfortunately

[@rabbitsonjupiter6824]

@Maeni's External Memory I agree. I got the impression that the interviewer was embarrassed, and didn't know which direction to go after hearing Richey's words.

[@NeglectedField]

I think it was less the interviewer poking fun and more him perceiving it as that general resigned British gallows humour and nothing much deeper.

[@JanJan-gy7qp]

The very beautiful Richey ❤️❤️❤️❤️ where ever you maybe I really hope it’s peaceful n loving for you.

[@vidhipssa]

Really interesting video. I enjoyed watching it!

[@deburke321]

Glad you enjoyed it! 😛

[@ReeseChown]

My favorite lyricist of all time, just brilliant. I don't think he was supposed to be here-- he knew too much.

[@philpants44]

lol

[@LCx829]

I remember having the CD in the 90s called Generation Terrorist. I bought at a used record store thought Manic Street Preachers had an interesting name. I was a fan right away after hearing them. No internet so this was the way I would find new music by spending hours at the record store.

[@Tokinjester]

17:26 if you're not aware, in the UK (in those days) we could go to the passport office and get temporary passports ...these weren't issued to the same standards as a ten year passport but could still get you to Europe

[@insidenightmare]

Your use of practical effects in your horror videos is outstanding

[@rickjones641]

I’m younger than my two sisters and I moved away when I was 18, but we’re from the same area and they knew the boys a little bit, one of my sisters’ former husband was good friends with Nicky. My sisters swear there were a little group of them that were obsessed with communism and determined to move to a communist country. I have no idea if it has any relevance but it always pops into my head when I hear the “where’s Richie?” question. On the admittedly slim chance that he is still around, I hope he found some happiness and peace in the end.

[@cassybowie2894]

oh wow i love richey sm i’m glad this popped up in my recommended

[@Badger69-96]

Regardless of the outcome Richey will always live on through music and fans ✌️💯

[@lisa0795]

That was a great video. Hope he’s out there somewhere.

[@f554uv1]

Let me get this straight: a guy who was very socially conscious, humanitarian oriented, who was the front man of an anti-capitalist band...took a flight to the neo-colonial apartheid zionist state of Israel?? I very much doubt that.

[@eadweard.]

I think these are more your own ideological obsessions than anything else.

[@adamturner1563]

Welsh and unapologetically moved by your optimism. I never say these things. I like your ending better. You might not of meant to drive the nail in but by god you used the Hammer. Thank you Brother. 👑

[@charliegeorge9393]

Too much of a bodged investigation by the Police - who didn't do the necessary search and rescue. Richard P Hall's 4 part doc leads to what he could've done.

[@Xt-tt6mc]

D hall

[@iainholmes2735]

Great analysis vid. If I recall correctly, about 3 years after the disappearance I read an interview - and also saw a documentary - in which someone who knew him well said that Richey would often talk about the 'perfect disappearance'. This person also said they wouldn't be remotely surprised if he re-appeared. Apparently he was extremely intelligent. Their song 'La Tristesse Durera', about the shabby way old people are sidelined, is a masterpiece. Cheers.

[@melissawright1979]

He left many clues behind which could interpreted as him wanting to disappear or kill himself. He did it so well that we are still scratching our heads now

[@iainholmes2735]

@@melissawright1979 Agreed, Melissa. Cheers from London.

[@marknewbold2583]

He's dead

[@Lady_Flashheart40]

@12:47 The whole story is sad, but hearing he was struggling with anorexia hit a nerve. So many people don't take men struggling with anorexia or other eating disorders seriously.

[@Ana_MF]

Didn't his sister say the money was used to pay some furniture? Heard something like that... I think he was rightly disappointed with the music industry but at the same time felt pressured to continue.He should have left and become a writer.

[@Kimberley_P]

Yes she accounted for the cash he withdrew, most of it went on a big desk. So frustrating everything that covers his story they always get this part wrong. I hope one day it comes to light what happened to him it’s so sad.

[@thesoundlikechameleons2082]

But didn't Richey withdraw around £2,000 in total before he went missing? I knew his car 🚗 was found at Aust Service Station and it goes 2 ways from here, he took his own life? or was it to give the impression he did? or he left the car there and got a passport changed his name etc and took a plane, train 🚆 away from there to another country? it is a mystery. C. 2023

[@panqueque445]

I don't really know what to think. Pretty much everything makes me think he either left the country or went off the grid. But asking the taxi driver to take the longest route, combined with his car being abandoned and lived in right next to a suicide spot makes no sense if that's the case. Both outcomes could be true. He could've been planning to leave the country and either the plan fell through (maybe the woman stopped answering his calls or backed out) or he decided it wasn't worth it and jumped off the bridge.

[@WuwuWuwuTV]

Of course, it makes sense. He wants the public to not look for him and come to the conclusion he's dead if he is abandoning his old life. Not for sure which story is true but definitely makes sense to make people believe you jumped.

[@Kimberley_P]

That wasn’t him in the taxi, James Dean Bradfield has said the guy sighted in the taxi had long hair and was tall

[@Jkk55]

Wow I never knew about this it's very sad I hope he's living the dream somewhere! I love your channel I am a new sub thank you !

[@IronManx70]

I read that bridge has one of the highest tidal ranges in the world - meaning any bodies would be like finding a needle in a haystack in the currents. There's no way they would have been able to safely recover his body if he did actually jump.

[@moz7173]

Incredible emotionally intelligent human being. I've been a fan since the Manic Street Preachers beginnings. The planning, all the presumptive tasks as discussed on various platforms, innocently, put , but by people (us, anyone) who had absolutely minus zero of a clue what was going on in this mans head. Yes, Richey could have planned his disappearance , or, he could have simply left a trail of potential hope so as to not hurt those closest, regardless of his decision. I and so many hope.... But his legacy as a Fantastic prowess as to the lyrics contained in some of the Best songs ever written and orchestrated by his friends.... I am Forever Grateful X

[@josephrowe849]

I never knew MSP lost someone like that. Probably because I know nothing about them since 90's rock didn't stick with me as much as rock from the 60's, 70's and 80's did. The 90's artists I liked were Nirvana, Stone Temple Pilots, Smashing Pumpkins, Lenny Kravitz and The Black Crowes. But yeah, it's sad how Richey Edward ended up magically disappearing..

[@jamesjackson-df1hi]

GENIUS LYRICIST.

[@claire-christmas-august73]

brilliant to see new gens appreciating MSP music.. ☺️😊😄 he was a troubled soul that left us way…to young.! just leave it be. 🕯 🥺 🤘🏻🌏🇦🇺✌🏻

[@Healingpowerofmusic_Corruption]

Saying that I love the guy and I spend so long wondering where he went. People say he’s in India, there was Disneyland photos found in his Cardiff flat where I live. He was also FASCINATED with this book where this welsh man disappeared and he admired this man. If you read the book ‘sweet venom’ you will get the real story as this isn’t it

[@thesoundlikechameleons2082]

He also took out quite a bit of money before he vanished, apparently true.

[@itsicearmour]

Glad to see you're back after getting hacked bro!

[@tay7366]

It’s possible to hide off grid in the uk but not for long. He definitely isn’t ghost writing for contemporary artists.

[@SakuraAsranArt]

Thanks for doing a video on Richie. I have been a Manics fan since the 90s when I saw the music video for Motorcycle Emptiness. Richie's disappearance is not talked about nearly enough!

[@deburke321]

Yeah definitely surprised by how little this case is covered considering how popular Manics are and how bizarre his disappearance was

[@thesoundlikechameleons2082]

Richey

[@hyllaf]

what a loss to all. Imo, the greatest lyric writer music has ever seen

[@justmadeit2]

He was introspective and had depression which you can tell from some of his interviews. He could have got a duplicate passport but it’s unlikely he’d put his mum and dad through alll that

[@SilverUnderworld]

This video is awesome!! You’re voice is great!! You’re doing great work! 🎉

[@deburke321]

Thank you! I really appreciate it!

[@FlasKamel]

Best channel ever

[@deburke321]

Thank you!