Elvis Costello
Born
25 August 1954 (71)
Place of Birth
Paddington, London, England, UK
Also known as
Declan Patrick MacManus, OBE, Napoleon Dynamite
Biography
Referencing prodigies of rock lyricism may not bring Elvis Costello to mind for some, but he does deserve consideration. Through the course of over four decades, the former computer programmer has maintained a career as a singer-songwriter, giving the likes of Bob Dylan himself a reckoning. He was born Declan MacManus in London, England, on August 25, 1954. He took the moniker Elvis Costello in 1977, adopting his first name from Elvis Presley and the last part from the maiden name of his mother....
Referencing prodigies of rock lyricism may not bring Elvis Costello to mind for some, but he does deserve consideration. Through the course of over four decades, the former computer programmer has maintained a career as a singer-songwriter, giving the likes of Bob Dylan himself a reckoning. He was born Declan MacManus in London, England, on August 25, 1954. He took the moniker Elvis Costello in 1977, adopting his first name from Elvis Presley and the last part from the maiden name of his mother. Also in '77, Costello's debut album My Aim Is True was released, drawing connections to the new wave and punk movement while showing musical variance. That year, Costello's band The Attractions was assembled. The group released a number of albums, including This Year's Model, Armed Forces, and Trust. 1986's Blood and Chocolate produced memorable, literate gems, such as "Tokyo Storm Warning" and "I Want You." After the Attractions' final show in 1996, caused by conflict between Costello and the band's bassist Bruce Thomas, two of the group's other members would become part of his new backing band, The Imposters. Costello has released over 30 albums.
Filmography (40)
McCartney: The Hunt for the Lost Bass
2026
Ladies & Gentlemen... 50 Years of SNL Music
2025
Elvis Costello & WDR Big Band @ Leverkusener Jazztage 2025
2025
Alma Naidu @ Levekusener Jazztage 2025
2025
Record On: The Specials - A Message to You
2024
Sounds of Liverpool at the BBC
2023
Roy Orbison Forever
2022
Lindisfarne’s Geordie Genius: The Alan Hull Story
2021
Johnny Cash: The Man in Black in Britain
2020
Ringo Starr’s Big Birthday Show
2020
Sesame Street's 50th Anniversary Celebration
2019
Tower of Song: A Memorial Tribute to Leonard Cohen
2018
Ex Libris: The New York Public Library
2017
Roy Orbison: Black and White Night 30
2017
The Beatles: Eight Days a Week - The Touring Years
2016
Elvis Costello - Detour Live at Liverpool Philharmonic Hall
2015
Lost Songs: The Basement Tapes Continued
2014
Elvis Costello: Mystery Dance
2013
Experience Montreux
2013
Elvis Costello & The Imposters: The Return Of The Spectacular Spinning Songbook
2012
A MusiCares Tribute to Neil Young
2011
I Was There: When the Beatles Played the Cavern
2011
Love Shines
2010
Hard Rock Calling 2010
2010
A Prairie Home Companion Live in HD!
2010
Live From Bonnaroo 2009
2009
A Colbert Christmas: The Greatest Gift of All!
2008
Memento Mori
2008
If It Ain't Stiff: The Stiff Records Story
2007
Delirious
2007
Elvis Costello: Live: A Case for Song
2007
Tony Bennett: Duets - The Making of an American Classic
2007
The Old, Weird America: Harry Smith's Anthology of American Folk Music
2007
Elvis Costello & Allen Toussaint: Hot as a Pistol, Keen as a Blade
2006
The Harry Smith Project Live
2006
Before the Music Dies
2006
Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby
2006
Elvis Costello & Friends
2006
Putting the River in Reverse
2006
Grand Ole Opry Live
2006