{{Short description|Welsh musician (1964–2021)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}} {{Infobox person | name = David Edwards | image = David R Edwards, Datblygu (3890950400).jpg | caption = Edwards in Bethesda, Gwynedd, 1985 | birth_name = David Rupert Edwards | birth_date = {{Birth date|1964|09|03|df=yes}} | birth_place = Cardigan, Ceredigion, Wales | death_date = {{Death date and age|2021|06|20|1964|09|03|df=yes}} | death_place = Carmarthen, Wales | other_names = Dave Datblygu | occupation = {{hlist|Musician|singer|writer}} | years_active = 1982–2021 | known_for = Leader singer of Datblygu | notable_works = }} '''David Rupert Edwards'''<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.discogs.com/artist/1950297-David-R-Edwards|title=David R Edwards|work=Discogs|access-date=25 June 2021}}</ref> (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".<ref name=NME>{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/datblygu-frontman-david-r-edwards-dies-aged-56-2975868|title=Datblygu frontman David R. Edwards has died, aged 56|date=23 June 2021|author=Alex Gallagher|website=NME|access-date=24 June 2021}}</ref> Additionally, John Peel said that Edwards' lyrics made him want to learn Welsh.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.soundnation.net/older.php?a=64&issue=16 |title=Sound Nation<!-- Bot generated title --> |access-date=2007-08-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928100120/http://www.soundnation.net/older.php?a=64&issue=16 |archive-date=2007-09-28 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
== Early life == Edwards was born in Cardigan, Ceredigion, and the band was formed at Ysgol Uwchradd Aberteifi/Cardigan Secondary School in 1982.<ref name=NME/>
== 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.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.ankst.net/product_info.php?products_id=120 |title=Ankst Music |access-date=2010-02-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160806075450/http://www.ankst.net/product_info.php?products_id=120 |archive-date=2016-08-06 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Datblygu returned to the studio in 2008 to record a one-off 7-inch single entitled "Cân y Mynach Modern".<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.ankst.net/product_info.php?products_id=137 |title=Ankst Music |access-date=2010-02-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171031022423/http://ankst.net/product_info.php?products_id=137 |archive-date=2017-10-31 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.s4c.cymru/cy/ffeithiol/|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120307081940/http://www.s4c.co.uk/ffeithiol/e_oflaendylygaid_gorawen.shtml|url-status=dead|title=Ffeithiol | S4C|archivedate=7 March 2012|website=S4c.cymru|accessdate=2 August 2020}}</ref>
On 20 June 2021, Edwards died at his home in Carmarthen at the age of 56, having had health issues for several years.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://nation.cymru/culture/welsh-musical-giant-david-r-edwards-of-datblygu-has-died/ |title=Welsh musical giant David R. Edwards of Datblygu has died |work=Nation Cymru |date=22 June 2021 |accessdate= 22 June 2021}}</ref><ref>[https://www.tivysideadvertiser.co.uk/announcements/deaths/deaths/19405572.david_edwards/ David Edwards]</ref>
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== * [http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/music/sites/datblygu/pages/datblygu_biography.shtml BBC] * [http://www.furious.com/perfect/datblygu.html furious.com] * [http://www.ankst.net ankst.net] * {{Discogs artist|David R Edwards}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Edwards, David}} Category:1964 births Category:2021 deaths Category:Welsh male singers Category:Welsh-language singers Category:Welsh-speaking musicians Category:People from Cardigan, Ceredigion