David Edwards (singer)
Welsh musician (1964–2021)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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]
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3 September 1964
- Musician
- singer
- writer
David Edwards | |
|---|---|
Edwards in Bethesda, Gwynedd, 1985 | |
| Born | David Rupert Edwards 3 September 1964 Cardigan, Ceredigion, Wales |
| Died | 20 June 2021 (aged 56) Carmarthen, Wales |
| Other names | Dave Datblygu |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 1982–2021 |
| Known for | Leader singer of Datblygu |
Early life
Edwards was born in Cardigan, Ceredigion, and the band was formed at Ysgol Uwchradd Aberteifi/Cardigan Secondary School in 1982.[2]
Career
As 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
Edwards'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]