James Dean Bradfield (Pontypool, Wales, 21 February 1969) is the lead guitarist and vocalist for the celebrated Welsh rock band Manic Street Preachers, which he co-formed in 1986. Regarded by many fans as one of the most talented and overlooked guitarists of his generation, he was due to be named "Clint Eastwood Bradfield" after his father's favourite actor, but due to a compromise with James' mother, was named for another famous actor.