AS I revealed
somewhat exclusively two weeks ago, Manic Street Preacher Richey
James missed the band plane to the United States and has gone
completely missing. Those who have followed the career of the
troubled 'cult pop guitarist' will not be entirely surprised at
the turn of events. Only six months ago, James was booked into a
private clinic for some weeks suffering from that old rock 'n'
roll hardy annual 'nervous exhaustion'. The Manic Street
Depressive played a string of dates without him.
His incarceration coincided with the release of the third Manic
LP, The Holy Bible, to which Richey contributed most of the
lyrics. One track, 4st 7lbs, is about anorexia and is reckoned by
other members to be autobiographical. The title is a reference to
the weight at which those suffering from the disease come face to
face with death.
'When they took him into hospital,' said fellow Manic Nicky Wire
at the time, 'they said he was on the verge of anorexia, and he
often said how anorexia is the ultimate act of self-control,
total withdrawal, a kind of suicide where you don't have to die.
'He's reached a point where something has clicked. His self-abuse
is escalating and he's mutilating himself. Now he's seeing a
psychiatrist, so hopefully these things will be nipped in the bud.'
Sadly, this doesn't seem to be the case. Perhaps the most bizarre
aspect of the whole affair is that Richey is believed to have
scarpered in a silver Vauxhall Cavalier. Exactly what kind of car
is that for a troubled rocker?