Richey - a renewed interest in his story? - Forever Delayed

Lindseyn · #1 30-10-2010, 18:26

With this recent biography and novel based on Richey's life both coming out around the same time, (Version of Reason and Richard) do you think this signifies a renewed interest in Richey's story in the greater public?
Do you think it's a case of enough time has passed now for him to have passed into the category of notable figures in rock with a tragic twist to the story (e.g Kurt Cobain - though obviously I realise it's not the same!) that will now have numerous books written about him? Or do you think it only really coincides with the Manics recently having albums that have done well, and more fans that will buy books?

Sorry, I know this is a bit of a muddled post, but hopefully you get what I mean!

hummingbird · #2 30-10-2010, 19:21

i don't think the books would've been written without the band's renewed popularity but i really wish there was a quality richey biog out there. When you use NME and Q interviews as sources you're in trouble

River Boy · #3 30-10-2010, 20:07

I think he's a very different case to Cobain. The more you look into the Kurt and Courtney story the more they just seem like crackheads that couldn't control their lives, and you end up finding a lot of reasons to dislike him. With Richey, despite his flaws, people only seem to have nice things to say about him and he comes across a more of a fragile victim of the modern world, but his qualities can still be looked up to and respected. (No murder conspiracies also helps I think)

I think there will always be an interest, but don't get the impression it's either failing or on the up - or that it will affect Manics sales. If there were to be sightings, rumours or a reappearance though, then I think it would increase interest, possibly even up to Take That levels - while comic books speculating on 'The Adventures of Richey' would emerge - but I don't predict it will happen; suspect he's happy where he is.

Dean V · #4 30-10-2010, 20:36

Not really, he has novels published (possibly given the thumbs up due to JFPLs superb promo work) but eh, they aren't important or seen as anything but a fan thing. No one really cares in the media for the story, and few people in the country/World probably ever gave a damn in all honesty.

Midlands_Junk · #5 30-10-2010, 21:01

One day, an awful and factually inaccurate film about Richey will be made. It's inevitable. Hopefully they won't use 'Richard' as source material, but either way, the band will not be involved and it will be cringeworthy to behold.

Dean V · #6 30-10-2010, 21:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by Midlands_Junk

One day, an awful and factually inaccurate film about Richey will be made. It's inevitable. Hopefully they won't use 'Richard' as source material, but either way, the band will not be involved and it will be cringeworthy to behold.

I bet this will happen by indie filmaking students one day, but it'll be started with good intentions (as good as misled Richey fans can go about things) and just end up hilariously shite.

I'd watch it. Illegally.

By that I mean downloading it, not commiting a violent crime whilst watching it, obviously.

comradestripe · #7 30-10-2010, 21:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dean V

I'd watch it. Illegally.

By that I mean downloading it, not commiting a violent crime whilst watching it, obviously.

Well, you wouldn't be able to concentrate if you were axe-murdering at the same time!

Dean V · #8 30-10-2010, 21:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by comradestripe

Well, you wouldn't be able to concentrate if you were axe-murdering at the same time!

I take your bet!

Get me an axe!

comradestripe · #9 30-10-2010, 21:47

I think I've misplaced mine...

Midlands_Junk · #10 30-10-2010, 21:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dean V

I bet this will happen by indie filmaking students one day, but it'll be started with good intentions (as good as misled Richey fans can go about things) and just end up hilariously shite.

I could see Film 4 having a crack, in the same style as 'Control.'
They'd need a fairly big budget to recreate the Bangkok scenes and Astoria gigs etc.
Unless it was going to be an awwwwful "Richey's Last Days" affair, just a near-silent hour and a half on Richey and James in a hotel, with shots of Richey reading books and staring out the window ponderously before driving to the bridge (fade to black)

franny · #11 30-10-2010, 22:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Midlands_Junk

I could see Film 4 having a crack, in the same style as 'Control.'
They'd need a fairly big budget to recreate the Bangkok scenes and Astoria gigs etc.
Unless it was going to be an awwwwful "Richey's Last Days" affair, just a near-silent hour and a half on Richey and James in a hotel, with shots of Richey reading books and staring out the window ponderously before driving to the bridge (fade to black)

That would be very Film4!

Tetsuo · #12 30-10-2010, 22:20

Nicky has made the comment that "there's some things that just don't add up" which I think is him saying he doesn't think deep down Richey flung himself into a river.

I got the sense from the Journal... lyrics that he was ridding himself of his possessions, belongings, trappings, opulence etc. and.... maybe going off to a monastery or something? Then again, with suicide cases people who have planned their suicide can have a radical shift in mood so someone that might've been "depressed" will appear happy all of a sudden and they said his mood and behaviour had changed quite notably after Xmas 94. Psychotherapists might also say another sign would be giving away one's possessions.

I don't know, renewed interest? Probably not. It's hard to say anything that isn't either offensive or stupid which is where this post fails. You just wonder though... what if someone had've stopped him at the hotel, what if is car broke down on the way back to Wales, what if Nicky had've caught up with him at his flat, what if someone told him he couldn't sleep in his car in that car park at the Severn Bridge... so many what ifs.

Would it be possible for someone to completely disappear in this age of facebooks and camera phones?

Lindseyn · #13 30-10-2010, 22:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by Midlands_Junk

One day, an awful and factually inaccurate film about Richey will be made. It's inevitable. Hopefully they won't use 'Richard' as source material, but either way, the band will not be involved and it will be cringeworthy to behold.

And yet most of this forum, me included will still go see it

Dean V · #14 30-10-2010, 23:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tetsuo

Would it be possible for someone to completely disappear in this age of facebooks and camera phones?

It is surprisingly easy to go missing even in this day and age, even celebrities can manage to do it for a few weeks, if the person decides to turn off their mobile and doesn't go on facebook then it is difficult to find them.

Say if Richey didn't kill himself and went missing, he was a bald, clean shaven fellow at that time, if he had 3 weeks to grow stuff out and put on some weight/change his fashion then it's spectacularly easy to not be recognised.

Lindseyn · #15 30-10-2010, 23:32

but then he'd have to constantly have his arms covered etc, as his tattoos/scars would be easily recognisable, I dunno...