While the Manic Street Preachers are one the most successful UK bands of of the 90s, their achievements are made even more noteworthy by their ability to overcome personal tragedy.

Philip Hall, manager during the Manics early years, lost his battle with cancer in 1993. Two year later, founder member Richard James Edwards disappeared from the Embassy Hotel in West London on the eve of an American tour. His car was found abandoned at the Aust services on the east side of the Severn Bridge.

A self-confessed non-musician, Edwards started out as driver-designate, ferrying band and equipment to their early concerts across South Wales. In due course, he joined the band full-time. Teaming up with co-lyricist Nicky Wire they formed the most memorable song writing partnership on the alternative rock scene of the early 90s.

Behind his quiet, gentle nature was the fanatical determination that characterised the band’s ascent to popularity. After a 1991 concert he responded to media scepticism by brutally carving “4 Real” with a razor blade on his forearm for the benefit of a journalist and photographer from the New Musical Express.

The band’s third album, The Holy Bible, is considered Edwards’ greatest work. Remarkably so, given his increasingly fragile emotional and physical condition as he sank into a tortured combination of self-harm, heavy drinking and anorexia. It was released in August 94; the same month Edwards was admitted to The Priory clinic to be treated for his illnesses.

Each claimed sighting and every mystery corpse dredged from the Severn Estuary makes national newspaper headlines. To this day the money earned from Edwards’ song writing sits untouched in a bank account.

The lack of any definitive evidence of what became of the Manics lyrical lynchpin has cast a macabre shadow over the band’s subsequent fortunes. He remains one of rock music’s modern day cult figures.

The Manic Street Preachers continue to name him in their line-up every time they introduce themselves during live performances.