David Rupert Edwards[1] (3 September 1964 – 20 June 2021) was a Welsh musician, singer and writer, best known as the lead singer of the Welsh language post-punk/experimental band Datblygu. NME said that "his contribution to the Welsh language can't be overestimated and his work with Datblygu serves as a focal point for its vibrant counter-culture".[2] Additionally, John Peel said that Edwards' lyrics made him want to learn Welsh.[3]
David Edwards | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Edwards in Bethesda, Gwynedd, 1985 | |
| Born | David Rupert Edwards 3 September 1964 Cardigan, Ceredigion, Wales |
| Died | 20 June 2021 (aged 56) Carmarthen, Wales |
| Nationality | Welsh |
| Other names | Dave Datblygu |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 1982–2021 |
| Known for | Leader singer of Datblygu |
Early life
editEdwards was born in Cardigan, Ceredigion, and the band was formed at Ysgol Uwchradd Aberteifi/Cardigan Secondary School in 1982.[2]
Career
editAs well as Datblygu, Edwards worked with Tŷ Gwydr and pioneering electronic act Llwybr Llaethog on L.L. v T.G. MC DRE (1992), around which time he took up work as a secondary school teacher. Health problems and alcoholism forced Datblygu into retirement after releasing the Putsch double A single in 1995.
Edwards has since been largely ignored by mainstream Welsh media but interest was revived after Ankstmusik re-released 1993's classic Libertino in a triple disc box set along with the first two studio albums Wyau and Pyst in 2004.[4] Datblygu returned to the studio in 2008 to record a one-off 7-inch single entitled "Cân y Mynach Modern".[5]
Edwards's autobiography, Atgofion Hen Wanc, was published by Y Lolfa in 2009.
Datblygu performed occasionally during the 2010s. In 2014, the band released new material and were featured in a documentary, Prosiect Datblygu, made in 2012 and broadcast on S4C to mark the release of the new songs.
Health and death
editEdwards's health problems and alcoholism was chronicled in an O Flaen dy Lygaid documentary, produced by BBC Cymru for S4C. The programme also features his friend, actress Rhian Ree Davies.[6]
On 20 June 2021, Edwards died at his home in Carmarthen at the age of 56, having had health issues for several years.[7][8]
References
edit- ^ "David R Edwards". Discogs. Retrieved 25 June 2021.
- ^ a b Alex Gallagher (23 June 2021). "Datblygu frontman David R. Edwards has died, aged 56". NME. Retrieved 24 June 2021.
- ^ "Sound Nation". Archived from the original on 28 September 2007. Retrieved 20 August 2007.
- ^ "Ankst Music". Archived from the original on 6 August 2016. Retrieved 18 February 2010.
- ^ "Ankst Music". Archived from the original on 31 October 2017. Retrieved 18 February 2010.
- ^ "Ffeithiol | S4C". S4c.cymru. Archived from the original on 7 March 2012. Retrieved 2 August 2020.
- ^ "Welsh musical giant David R. Edwards of Datblygu has died". Nation Cymru. 22 June 2021. Retrieved 22 June 2021.
- ^ David Edwards
External links
edit- BBC
- furious.com
- ankst.net
- David Edwards discography at Discogs