Paul Charles
Paul Charles (born 1949, Magherafelt) is a Northern Irish novelist, concert promoter, manager and talent agent.[1]
Charles managed his first act, The Blues by Five, when he was 15 years old, and had to list the number of his local telephone call box on business cards.[2] The telephone would be answered by whomever was passing, who would then walk to Charles' house and knock on the window to let him know there was a call for him.[3]
In 1967 he moved from Northern Ireland to London, planning to study civil engineering, but soon began writing for Belfast-based magazine City Week, filing live reviews of Irish groups performing in London, and returned to the music business full-time.[2][4][5] He then became manager, agent, lyricist and roadie for progressive rock band Fruupp.
When the band split up Charles formed a promotion agency, Asgard, with associate Paul Fenn. The agency's first big signings were English punk bands Radio Stars and the Buzzcocks.[3] Charles' clients now include Tom Waits, Ray Davies, Christy Moore, Don McLean, Waterboys, Nick Lowe, Lisa Ekdahl, Ronnie Spector, Marti Pellow, Ani DiFranco and Paul Carrack.[6]
Personal life
Charles lives in Primrose Hill, London, and Donegal with his wife Catherine.
Bibliography
Detective Inspector Christy Kennedy series
- I Love the Sound of Breaking Glass (1997)
- Last Boat to Camden Town (1997)
- Fountain of Sorrow (1998)
- The Ballad of Sean and Wilko (2000)
- The Hissing of the Silent Lonely Room (2001)
- I've Heard the Banshee Sing (2002)
- Justice Factory (2004)
- Sweetwater (2007)
- The Beautiful Sound of Silence (2008)
- A Pleasure To Do Death With You (2012)
- Departing Shadows (2019)
Inspector Starrett series
- The Dust of Death (2007)
- Family Life (2009)
- St Ernan's Blues (2016)
McCusker Mysteries
- Down on Cyprus Avenue (2014)
- A Day In The Life of Louis Bloom (2018)
Other fiction
- First of the True Believers (2002)
- The Last Dance (2012)
- The Prince of Heaven's Eyes (A Novella) (2012)
- The Lonesome Heart is Angry (2014)
- One of Our Jeans is Missing (2016)
Non-fiction
- Pocket essentials: How to Succeed in the Music Business (2002)
- Pocket Essentials: The Beatles (2003)
- The Complete Guide To Playing Live (2004)
- The Best Beatles Book Ever (2013)
References
- Sansom, Ian. "Northern Irish Writing". British Council. Archived from the original on 29 July 2009. Retrieved 16 July 2010.
- McGrotty, Catherine (25 September 2007). "Death Becomes Him" (PDF). Verbal Magazine. Archived from the original (PDF) on 9 March 2012. Retrieved 18 July 2010.
- Connolly, John. "Paul Charles: Interviewed by John Connolly". John Connolly Books. Retrieved 18 July 2010.
- Doherty, Amanda (13 December 1998). "Paul Charles: Crime is another string to music man's bow". Sunday Mirror. London.
- Gallen, Catriona (24 August 2007). "A dark tale of crucifixtion in Ramelton church". Donegal News. Archived from the original on 30 August 2007. Retrieved 18 July 2010.
- "Artists". Asgard London. Retrieved 18 July 2010.