James Dean Bradfield
James Dean Bradfield on the Manics' "Past, Present and Future" tour
Background information
Birth name	James Dean Bradfield
Born	February 21, 1969 (1969-02-21) (age 39)
Origin	Pontypool, Wales, UK
Genre(s)	Alternative rock
Instrument(s)	Guitar Vocals
Years active	1989–present (Manic Street Preachers) 2004–present (solo)
Label(s)	Columbia Records
Website	jamesdeanbradfieldofficial.com/
Notable instrument(s)
Gibson Les Paul Custom

James Dean Bradfield is the lead guitarist and vocalist for the Welsh rock band Manic Street Preachers. Events 362 - Athanasius returns to Alexandria. 1245 - Thomas, the first known Bishop of Finland Year 1969 ( MCMLXIX) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Pontypool (Pont-y-pŵl is a Town of approximately 36000 people in the county borough of Torfaen, within the historic boundaries of Monmouthshire The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located A music genre is a categorical and typological construct that identifies musical sounds as belonging to a particular category and type of music that can be distinguished from other Alternative rock (also called alternative music, alt-rock or simply alternative; known primarily in the UK as indie) is a genre of A musical instrument is a device constructed or modified for the purpose of making Music. The guitar is a Musical instrument with ancient roots that is used in a wide variety of musical styles Singing is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, which is often contrasted with Speech. Manic Street Preachers (often known colloquially as the " Manics " or " MSP " are a Welsh rock band consisting of James In the Music industry, a record label can be a Brand and a Trademark associated with the Marketing of music recordings and Music Columbia Records is an American Record label founded in 1888 Columbia is the oldest surviving Brand name in pre-recorded sound being the first record company The Gibson Les Paul is a solidbody Electric guitar originally developed in the early 1950s The guitar is a Musical instrument with ancient roots that is used in a wide variety of musical styles Manic Street Preachers (often known colloquially as the " Manics " or " MSP " are a Welsh rock band consisting of James

Biography

Career

Born on February 21, 1969 in Pontypool, Monmouthshire he attended the local Oakdale Comprehensive school in Blackwood where he suffered years of cruelty and bullying (he claims he was "a Woody Allen-esque little nerd") for his name, lazy eye (a popular nickname was "Crossfire"), musical bent (which was apparent even at a young age when he joined the school choir) and small size (another nickname was "He-man" - this was ironic as James is still only 5"5). Events 362 - Athanasius returns to Alexandria. 1245 - Thomas, the first known Bishop of Finland Year 1969 ( MCMLXIX) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Pontypool (Pont-y-pŵl is a Town of approximately 36000 people in the county borough of Torfaen, within the historic boundaries of Monmouthshire Ancient county See also Monmouthshire (historic The ancient county of Monmouthshire was formed from the Welsh Marches by the Laws in Wales Blackwood ( Coed Duon) is a small Town in the South Wales Valleys on the River Sirhowy in what is now part of Caerphilly (county borough Because of this James formed a rather exclusive relationship with three friends: his cousin Sean Moore, who lived with James and his family throughout their childhood after his own parents' divorce, and future bandmates Nicky Wire (real name Nicholas Jones) and Richey James Edwards. Sean Anthony Moore is the Writer, Drummer / Percussionist and sometime Trumpet player of the Welsh Nicholas Allen Jones, known as Nicky Wire, is the Lyricist, bassist and occasional Vocalist with the Welsh rock band Richard "Richey" James Edwards (born 22 December 1967 in Blackwood, Wales, UK) (also known as Richey James Bradfield is named after James Dean - his father wanted originally to call him Clint Eastwood Bradfield, but this was vetoed by his mother. James Byron Dean ( February 8 1931 &ndash September 30 1955) was a two-time Oscar -nominated American Film Clinton "Clint" Eastwood Jr (born May 31 1930 is a four-time Academy Award winning American Actor and Filmmaker.

Bradfield loved to run and was a fine steeple-chaser, and soon grew fond of famous punk rock band The Clash. For the debut album by The Clash see The Clash (album The Clash were He there-and-then gave up his dream of "being like Napoleon" and decided that he wanted to be a rock star. Napoleon Bonaparte (15 August 1769 – 5 May 1821 was a French military and political leader who had a significant impact on the History of Europe. He learnt to play guitar by learning how to play Guns N' Roses's Appetite for Destruction with the curtains drawn in his parents' front room. Guns N' Roses is an American rock band formed in Los Angeles, California in 1985 Appetite for Destruction is the 1987 debut album by Los Angeles -based Hard rock band Guns N' Roses. He was soon busking of a Saturday on the streets of Cardiff - where apparently he got the name for the band from an old tramp who called him "the manic street preacher" or from the regular street Evangelical Christian preachers on Cardiff's Queen Street in the 1980s. Busking is the practice of performing in Public places for Tips and Gratuities.

Wire soon began to join his friend busking (playing acoustic guitar) and the seeds of the band were planted. James was the musical brain, Sean was persuaded to join on drums and the bassist was Miles "Flicker" Woodward while Richey drove for the band. After several band names (the most interesting apparently being "Betty Blue", (after the film of the same name) and the firing of "Flicker" followed with Richey joining, the band became Manic Street Preachers. Betty Blue is a 1986 French film Its original French title is 37°2 le matin, which means "37°C, Manic Street Preachers (often known colloquially as the " Manics " or " MSP " are a Welsh rock band consisting of James The band began playing riotous gigs in various ‘toilet’ venues around the country. During these hectic times, James once had his jaw broken and couldn't sing for almost 2 months after he tried to defend Richey in McDonalds on his birthday.

However, they managed to release the self-financed Suicide Alley and were eventually signed by managers Phillip and Martin Hall. Suicide Alley is the debut stand alone single from the rock band Manic Street Preachers and was released in August of 1989. All four soon moved up to London, where they lived with Phillip Hall for some time in his new home rent free, which he had just bought with his wife, ‘paying’ their way by tidying and cooking. London ( ˈlʌndən is the capital and largest urban area in the United Kingdom. Contrary to popular belief, manager Philip Hall didn't remortgage his house, although the £45,000 investment still took up a massive amount of his personal wealth. The band quickly became a cult and, possibly, the most hated band in Britain. James would often be pelted with bottles on stage - and once took one full on the face.

The Manics (as they are often affectionately known) began recording their first album in the early 90s, and James supplied all the guitar parts despite Richey being credited with playing the instrument on the album. 1992 saw the band release Generation Terrorists, which included the hit singles Motorcycle Emptiness and You Love Us. Year 1992 ( MCMXCII) was a Leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1992 Gregorian calendar) Generation Terrorists is the debut album by Welsh rock band Manic Street Preachers released on 10 February 1992, produced " Motorcycle Emptiness " ( is a single by the Welsh rock band Manic Street Preachers released on 1 June 1992. " You Love Us " is a single by the Welsh rock band Manic Street Preachers. It was quickly followed with the moderately successful but critically mixed anthemic rock of Gold Against the Soul. Gold Against the Soul is the second album by Welsh Rock band Manic Street Preachers released on June 20 1993. During the era of their controversial third album The Holy Bible, James became a semi-alcoholic - which only worsened with the infamous disappearance of friend and band member Edwards. The Holy Bible was the third studio album by the Welsh rock band Manic Street Preachers. [See Richey James Edwards for more]

James later moved to London, continuing to battle issues with alcohol. Richard "Richey" James Edwards (born 22 December 1967 in Blackwood, Wales, UK) (also known as Richey James The band then decided to continue without Edwards and record the fourth album Everything Must Go - the success of which brought them into the mainstream for the first time.

The band's fifth album This Is My Truth Tell Me Yours saw them berated by many 'hardcore' fans for going mainstream but brought them huge worldwide success and their first number one single in the form of If You Tolerate This Your Children Will Be Next. This Is My Truth Tell Me Yours is an Album by the Manic Street Preachers. " If You Tolerate This Your Children Will Be Next " is a song by the Manic Street Preachers, released as the first single from their fifth studio album With their sixth studio album Know Your Enemy, the band promised a return to their punk beginnings. Know Your Enemy is an Album by the Manic Street Preachers. It was released in March 2001 on Virgin Records. Tracks from the album were first aired in Cuba at a concert attended by Fidel Castro (this gig was later made in to the DVD Louder Than War, which was named after a joke Castro made when Nicky suggested the concert might be a bit loud). Fidel Alejandro Castro Ruz (born August 13 1926 is a Cuban revolutionary leader who was prime minister of Cuba from December 1959 to December 1976 and then president until Louder Than War is a DVD release from the Welsh rock band Manic Street Preachers. However, the album failed to enthrall either the hardcore faithful or the EMG/TIMTTMY-era fans and the Manics retreated to Wales.

The release of the band's 'Best of' Forever Delayed was at the end of 2002, and was accompanied by a nation-wide tour. Neither the compilation, nor the accompanying new song There by the Grace of God made much impact on the charts, and although the tour sold well, it was a somewhat sober occasion compared to earlier stints. " There by the Grace of God " is a single released by Manic Street Preachers on October 14, 2002 2003/04 were spent recording new material, including time with veteran producer Tony Visconti and in October 2004 the band released their single The Love of Richard Nixon, which breezed to number 2 in the charts. Anthony Visconti (born April 24, 1944) is an American Record producer and sometimes a Musician or Singer. The band's seventh album Lifeblood was released shortly after. Lifeblood is the seventh studio album by Manic Street Preachers. In addition to this, Bradfield's second lyric writing foray came in the shape of 'Firefight', a track from the free God Save the Manics EP of April 2005, paving the way for his solo album the following year. God Save The Manics is a free three-track download only (primarily see background info EP by Welsh rock band Manic Street Preachers.

Bradfield has also collaborated with Tom Jones on his Reload album, Kylie Minogue on her Impossible Princess album, Patrick Jones on his Commemoration & Amnesia album, and has remixed the track Inertia Creeps for Massive Attack. Sir Thomas John Woodward, (born 7 June 1940 known by his stage name Tom Jones, is a Welsh pop music singer particularly noted for his powerful voice Reload is the title of an album released in 1999 by Welsh singer Tom Jones. Kylie Ann Minogue, OBE, born 28 May 1968 is an Australian pop Singer - Songwriter and occasional Actress. Impossible Princess is the sixth Album by Australian pop singer Kylie Minogue. Patrick Jones (born 1965 is an Welsh Poet, Playwright and filmmaker. Massive Attack are an English Trip hop group founded in 1988 by Robert Del Naja, Grantley Marshall, and Andrew Vowles in Bristol In 2003 Bradfield contributed original music for the brand new play The War Is Dead Long Live The War written by Patrick Jones (Nicky Wire's brother). Year 2003 ( MMIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. Patrick Jones (born 1965 is an Welsh Poet, Playwright and filmmaker.

Solo career

In late April 2006, a track from Bradfield's debut solo single entitled "That's No Way To Tell A Lie" premiered on Janice Long's show on Radio 2. " That's No Way to Tell a Lie " is the debut single by Manic Street Preachers vocalist/guitarist James Dean Bradfield, released on July 10, It became the first single from the album and was released on July 10 while the album, entitled "The Great Western", was released on July 24. Events 48 BC - Battle of Dyrrhachium, Julius Caesar barely avoids a catastrophic defeat to Pompey in Macedonia. The Great Western is the debut solo album by Manic Street Preachers vocalist/guitarist James Dean Bradfield, released on July 24, 2006 Events 1132 - Battle of Nocera between Ranulf II of Alife and Roger II of Sicily. The single debuted at #18 in the UK single charts while the album debuted at #22 on the album charts. The positions were considered relatively successful considering the lack of promotion.

In support of the album, Bradfield played a series of three solo gigs in May 2006 in Manchester, Glasgow and London. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Glasgow (ˈglæzgoʊ is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom London ( ˈlʌndən is the capital and largest urban area in the United Kingdom. The setlists consisted of tracks from the "The Great Western" as well as several Manics tracks including "This Is Yesterday" and "Ocean Spray" (the only Manics album track that he wrote the lyrics for). Manic Street Preachers (often known colloquially as the " Manics " or " MSP " are a Welsh rock band consisting of James He has also played one further date in London ULU in June 2006, featuring a similar setlist to the other gigs, but with the addition of further Manics favourite No Surface All Feeling. London ( ˈlʌndən is the capital and largest urban area in the United Kingdom. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Bradfield also performed at the 2006 V Festival in late August. The V Festival is an annual music festival in England, the first to be held simultaneously at two sites - currently Hylands Park in Chelmsford and He embarked on his first full UK tour - consisting of 15 dates - in October. October events and holidays Children's Book Week ( England) - First Week of October National Day ( China People's Republic A second single, 'An English Gentleman' was lifted from "The Great Western" prior to the tour and entered the UK chart at #31 on 1st October 2006. The Great Western is the debut solo album by Manic Street Preachers vocalist/guitarist James Dean Bradfield, released on July 24, 2006

Personal life

• During the early 90s, Bradfield was engaged for almost 2 years, but the relationship broke up in 1993.
• James' mother died of cancer in 1999 (the song Ocean Spray, James' first published lyric, is about her passing). Year 1999 ( MCMXCIX) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1999 Gregorian calendar) " Ocean Spray " is a song by the Manic Street Preachers, which was released as a single on June 4 2001 the third song to be released from the album Know
• He currently lives in Chiswick, London, England, UK but also has a house in the dock area of Cardiff, Wales, UK. Chiswick ( IPA /ˈtʃɪzɪk/ is an area of West London, located west of Charing Cross, which covers the eastern part of the London Borough of Hounslow London ( ˈlʌndən is the capital and largest urban area in the United Kingdom. England is a Country which is part of the United Kingdom. Its inhabitants account for more than 83% of the total UK population whilst its mainland The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located Cardiff ( 'kɑːdɪf) is the Capital and the largest city and county in Wales. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located
• Despite having said “I always get bored of the company of women really quickly,” he married Mylene Halsall in a secret ceremony in Florence, Italy on 11 July, 2004. Florence ( Italian: Firenze Florentia and Fiorenza) is the Capital City of the Italian region of Tuscany Italy (Italia officially the Italian Republic, (Repubblica Italiana is located on the Italian Peninsula in Southern Europe, and on the two largest

Solo discography

Albums

The Great Western (24 July, 2006) - #22

Singles

• "That's No Way to Tell a Lie" (10 July, 2006) - #18
• "An English Gentleman" (25 September, 2006) - #31

External links

• Official James Dean Bradfield Site
• Official Manic Street Preachers Site
• BBC Biography
• Spoof Site