Melody Maker Magazine 31 January 1998 Richey Edwards Manic Street Preachers Supergrass NP003

Original Melody Maker Magazine dated 31 January 1998, with a major retrospective feature on Richey James Edwards of the Manic Street Preachers as the main cover story.

The front cover uses a striking black-and-white portrait and the large headline:

“RICHEY MANIC”

with the accompanying wording:

“From despair to who knows where?”

and:

“On the third anniversary of rock’s greatest mystery, we ask what really happened?”

The supplied contents image confirms that this is a substantial Richey James Edwards feature on pages 24–25, produced to mark the third anniversary of his disappearance. The contents text describes the feature as following the trail of the musician and examining interpretations surrounding his disappearance, making this a particularly notable issue for collectors of Manic Street Preachers and Richey Edwards memorabilia.

The front cover and contents page also show a broad selection of late-1990s indie, alternative and electronic music coverage.

Prominent features include:

• Shed Seven – review the week’s singles.
• Propellerheads – a major feature examining the duo and their new-found success.
• Supergrass – backstage coverage with Gaz Coombes, with the contents page referring to a London visit while the band work on a new album.
• Dawn of the Replicants – feature on the Scottish band.
• Dubstar – feature covering the group and their return.
• Catatonia – live coverage.
• Pearl Jam
• Bentley Rhythm Ace
• Idlewild
• Additional album, singles, live, charts and music-industry coverage.

The contents page is headed “Inside Information – Issue 5 Volume 75” and gives a useful overview of the magazine’s sections, including:

• News
• Singles
• Albums
• Charts
• Live reviews
• Coming Up
• Gig Guide
• Now Booking
• Control Zone
• Demo Hell
• Studio Eye
• Musicians’ Diary
• Talk Talk Talk

This is a strong late-1990s issue, combining a significant Richey Edwards / Manic Street Preachers retrospective with a broad cross-section of contemporary British alternative, indie and electronic music.

Magazine / Item Details

• Publication: Melody Maker
• Item Type: Magazine
• Full Date: 31 January 1998
• Issue: Issue 5, Volume 75
• Main Cover Feature: Richey James Edwards
• Associated Band: Manic Street Preachers
• Main Cover Headline: “Richey Manic”
• Other Featured Artists: Shed Seven, Propellerheads, Supergrass, Catatonia, Dubstar, Pearl Jam, Bentley Rhythm Ace, Idlewild, Dawn of the Replicants
• Cover Price: 90p
• Era: 1990s
• Music Focus: Indie, alternative rock, Britpop and electronic music
• SKU: NP003

Condition

Pre-owned vintage condition with visible age-related handling and storage wear.

The front cover shows general creasing, surface rippling and handling wear, particularly around the outer margins and lower portion of the magazine.

The left-hand edge/spine area shows noticeable creasing and compression, including several small folds and handling marks. There is visible age-related wear along this edge.

The right-hand edge is slightly uneven and wavy, with some roughness to the paper edge and light curling.

The corners show softening and light bending, particularly along the lower corners. The bottom edge also shows minor waviness and storage wear.

There is some age-related toning/discolouration to the pale outer paper margins, together with light general handling marks.

The supplied interior contents page also shows light waviness, creasing and edge wear, particularly around the outside margins. The paper has some normal age-related toning, but the photographs, text and printed colours remain clearly visible and readable.

No obvious major large tears, heavy staining or writing can be seen in the supplied photographs. Condition assessment is based on the two supplied images, so pages and areas not shown cannot be fully assessed.

Packaging & Postage

The magazine will be carefully and safely folded and packed inside a protective cardboard box for posting.

It will be packed securely to help reduce the risk of bending, crushing and general transit damage while on its way to the buyer.