Jimmy Cliff and Elvis Costello and the Attractions

Biography

Elvis Costello, born Declan Patrick MacManus on August 25, 1954, in London, England, is a British singer-songwriter who emerged as a pivotal figure in the punk and new wave movements of the late 1970s. Raised in both London and Liverpool following his parents' separation in 1962, Costello was immersed in music from an early age through his father Ross McManus, a musician and bandleader, and his mother Lillian, a record-store manager. During the early 1970s, he performed under the name D.P. MacManus in various bands, including the pub-rock group Flip City with producer Nick Lowe, while working as a computer programmer. In 1977, he adopted the stage name Elvis Costello—taking the first name from his musical idol Elvis Presley and the last name from his paternal great-grandmother—and signed with Stiff Records, launching a career that would span over five decades.

Costello's debut album, My Aim Is True (1977), recorded at Pathway Studios with the backing band Clover, established him as a distinctive voice in popular music, featuring the enduring ballad "Alison" and showcasing his sharp, often political songwriting. Following this success, he formed The Attractions with Steve Nieve (keyboards), Pete Thomas (drums), and Bruce Thomas (bass), with whom he recorded influential albums including This Year's Model (1978) and Armed Forces (1979). Originally branded as an "angry young man" for his snarky, whip-smart lyrics, Costello progressively expanded his musical palette throughout his career, incorporating country, jazz, R&B, baroque pop, and classical influences. His stylistic versatility and prolific output—spanning new wave, power pop, soul, big band, and reggae—established him as one of the most important songwriters of his generation, earning him induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2003 and a Grammy Award in 1998.

Beyond his work with The Attractions, Costello has performed with The Imposters since the early 2000s and collaborated with diverse artists including the Mingus Big Band, the Metropole Orkest, The Jazz Passengers, and the Count Basie Orchestra. His influence extends across multiple genres and generations of musicians, and he continues to perform publicly after more than fifty years in the music industry. Costello's legacy reflects his commitment to artistic evolution and his refusal to be confined by genre conventions, making him a transformative figure in contemporary popular music.

Fun Facts

• Costello's stage name origin involves a common misconception: while 'Elvis' correctly honors Elvis Presley, 'Costello' is not derived from comedian Lou Costello as often believed, but rather from his paternal great-grandmother Elizabeth Costello's maiden name.
• He legally changed his name to Elvis Costello in 1977, then changed it back to Declan Patrick Aloysius MacManus in 1986 (though 'Aloysius' was not one of his original middle names), and subsequently used both names professionally, typically performing under the Costello moniker.
• Costello is a multi-instrumentalist proficient in guitar, harmonica, and piano, and is known for his trademark black horn-rimmed glasses, which became an iconic part of his visual identity.
• He has twin sons, Dexter Henry Lorcan and Frank Harlan James, born December 6, 2006, with his wife Diana Krall, a renowned pianist and singer-songwriter.

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Ross McManus - Father and musician-bandleader who provided early musical training and exposure to diverse musical styles including British dance-hall pop, modern jazz, and the Beatles (Early musical education and influence) [1954-1960s]
• Nick Lowe - Musician-producer and bassist for Brinsley Schwarz who befriended Costello, collaborated in Flip City, and recommended him to Jake Riviera at Stiff Records (Flip City band collaboration; facilitated record deal) [Early 1970s-1977]

Key Collaborators

• The Attractions - Primary backing band featuring Steve Nieve (keyboards), Pete Thomas (drums), and Bruce Thomas (bass) who defined Costello's sound during the new wave era (This Year's Model (1978), Armed Forces (1979), Get Happy!! (1980), and multiple albums through the 1980s) [1977-1986 (primary period)]
• The Imposters - Long-standing backing band featuring Steve Nieve and other musicians with whom Costello has performed (Multiple albums and tours) [2002-present]
• Clover - Backing band that provided instrumentals for Costello's debut album My Aim Is True; later became Huey Lewis and the News with the addition of Huey Lewis (My Aim Is True (1977)) [1976-1977]
• Steve Nieve - Keyboardist who has been Costello's primary musical collaborator across multiple decades and band configurations (The Attractions albums; The Imposters; Mingus Big Band; Count Basie Orchestra appearance) [1977-present]

Discography

Albums

Top Tracks

1. Pump It Up - 2021 Remaster (This Year's Model (2021 Remaster))
2. Oliver's Army (Armed Forces (Super Deluxe Edition))
3. Everyday I Write The Book (Punch The Clock)
4. Good Year For The Roses (Almost Blue)
5. Radio, Radio - 2021 Remaster (This Year's Model (2021 Remaster))
6. Oliver's Army (Armed Forces (Remastered 2020))
7. (I Don't Want To Go To) Chelsea - 2021 Remaster (This Year's Model (2021 Remaster))
8. I Want You (Blood And Chocolate)
9. (What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love And Understanding (Armed Forces (Super Deluxe Edition))
10. Shipbuilding (Punch The Clock)

External Links

• Spotify
• [Wikipedia](Not provided in search results)