Chas de Whalley

Chas de Whalley

As a freelance writer Chas has contributed to The Guardian, NME, Kerrang!, Sounds, Record Mirror, Time Out, Mojo, Classic Rock, Record Collector, Music Week, Audience and Live UK. Chas also produced the first two singles by fledgling Irish supergroup U2 and was instrumental in signing or developing the chart-topping careers of Eighties acts Shakin’ Stevens, Adam and The Ants and Paul Young.

Articles by: Chas de Whalley

Blackberry Smoke onstage at The Roundhouse in 2017, shot from the back of the venue

The venue that came back from the dead

By Chas de Whalley published

In the late 60s, a disused Victorian railway shed in North London hosted some of the most unforgettable and legendary gigs, raves and all-night freak-outs of all time

Bono in the early 1980s

The story of the gigs that got U2 a record deal

By Chas de Whalley last updated

The man who gave U2 their first record deal remembers one of the band's early shows: "They’re a mess. Except for the singer, who is absolutely riveting"