Elvis Costello
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. 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.
Known For
Self
There's Only One Paul McCartney
Elvis Costello
Spice World
Elvis Costello
Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby
Hives The Butler
Straight to Hell
Self
The Pretenders: No Turn Left Unstoned
Elvis Costello
Delirious
Self
Lindisfarne’s Geordie Genius: The Alan Hull Story
Self
Elvis Costello and Burt Bacharach: Sessions at West 54th
Self
Elvis Costello and the Brodsky Quartet - The Juliet Letters
Self
Live Aid
Self
A Colbert Christmas: The Greatest Gift of All!
Self
Tony Bennett: MTV Unplugged
Self
Chet Baker Live at Ronnie Scott's
Self - Guitar/Electric Organ/Harmonica
Roy Orbison and Friends: A Black and White Night
The Earl of Manchester
Americathon
Self (archive footage)
Sounds of Liverpool at the BBC
Self
In Dreams: The Roy Orbison Story
Self
September Songs: The Music of Kurt Weill
Self
George Jones: With a Little Help from His Friends
Self
Here, There and Everywhere: A Concert for Linda
Rosco De Ville
No Surrender
Self
Paul McCartney: Put It There
Self
Elvis Costello & The Imposters: Club Date - Live in Memphis
Self
The Chieftains
Self
Putting the River in Reverse
Self
Elvis Costello & Allen Toussaint: Hot as a Pistol, Keen as a Blade
Self
Willie Nelson & Friends: Live and Kickin'
Self
A Tribute To Burt Bacharach & Hal David
Self
Love Shines
Self
Tony Bennett's New York
Self
200 Cigarettes
Self
Roy Orbison Forever
Stone Deaf A & R Man
The Bullshitters: Roll Out the Gunbarrel
Self
Elvis Costello: Mystery Dance
Self
Lost Songs: The Basement Tapes Continued
Self - Vocals, Guitar
Elvis Costello: Live: A Case for Song
Self
Classic Albums: U2 - The Joshua Tree
Self
Hard Rock Calling 2010
Self
Experience Montreux
Self
Elvis Costello: North
Self
A MusiCares Tribute to Neil Young
Self
Freedom Beat
Self
Brian Wilson’s Imagination
Self
The Specials – A Message to You
Self
Beautiful Dreamer: Brian Wilson and the Story of Smile
Self
If It Ain't Stiff: The Stiff Records Story
Elvis Costello
Sans plomb
Self
Tony Bennett: Duets - The Making of an American Classic
Self
Elvis Costello - Detour Live at Liverpool Philharmonic Hall
Self - Interviewee
Philip K Dick: A Day in the Afterlife
Self
The Beatles: Eight Days a Week - The Touring Years
Self
The Old, Weird America: Harry Smith's Anthology of American Folk Music
Self
From the Big Apple to the Big Easy: The Concert for New Orleans
Musical Performer - "Let's Misbehave"
De-Lovely
Self - Performer
Tower of Song: A Memorial Tribute to Leonard Cohen
Self (archive footage)
I Was There: When the Beatles Played the Cavern
Self - Performer
Elvis Costello & The Attractions Live in Montreaux
Self - Performer
Elvis Costello: The Right Spectacle - The Very Best of Elvis Costello
Self - Performer
Elvis Costello & The Imposters: The Return Of The Spectacular Spinning Songbook
Self - Interviewee
Dusty
Self - Performer
Red Shoes In the Land of the Midnight Sun: Elvis Costello & The Confederates Live in Tokyo
Elvis Costello
Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me
Self
Live Aid
Self
Weird Nightmare
Self
Ex Libris: The New York Public Library
Self
If It Ain't Stiff, It Ain't Worth a Fuck
Self
Sesame Street's 50th Anniversary Celebration
Self
Grand Ole Opry Live
Self
Burt Bacharach: One Amazing Night
Self
Live Aid: 20 Years Ago Today
Self - Musician
Before the Music Dies
Self
The Harry Smith Project Live
Self - Singer
A Prairie Home Companion Live in HD!
Self - Performer
Ringo Starr’s Big Birthday Show
Public Defender / Teacher
Prison Song
Self
Elvis Costello and The Attractions: Live at The Capitol Theatre
Self
Elvis Costello and The Attractions: Live on Rockpalast
Self
Johnny Cash: The Last Great American
Self
I Love Your Work
Self
Johnny Cash: The Man in Black in Britain
Self
Concerts for the People of Kampuchea
Self
The Tomorrow Show with Tom Snyder: Punk & New Wave
Self
Emmylou Harris: From a Deeper Well
Self (archive footage)
Elvis Costello & Friends
Self
Life Is a Carnival: A Musical Celebration of Robbie Robertson
Self
Ladies & Gentlemen... 50 Years of SNL Music
Personal Info
Known For
Acting
Known Credits
86
Gender
Male
Birthday
1954-08-25
Place of Birth
Paddington, London, England, UK
Also Known As
Declan Patrick MacManus, OBE