Strictly Rock

  • Home
  • Bands
  • Videos
  • Store
  • Events
  • Unsigned Bands
  • Blog
  • Contact

Elvis Costello

May 15, 2014 by strictlyrock Leave a Comment

Click on the image to buy this photo

Declan Patrick MacManus was born on August 25th, 1954. Declan lived in Twickenham, just outside of London, and was born into a musical family. After moving to Birkenhead in 1971, Declan started a folk duo, “Rusty,” with fellow musician Allan Mayes. After relocating to London, Declan started a new band called “Flip City,” and began using the name D.P. Costello. Declan worked various jobs as he tried to land himself a record deal as a solo artist. He soon signed with Stiff Records and, following the advice of his manager, took on the stage name Elvis Costello.

Click on the image to buy this T-shirt

Costello’s first single “Less Than Zero,” was released on March 25th, 1977. His debut album “My Aim is True,” followed shortly afterwards. Unhappy that his record was not being released in the United States, Elvis soon inked a deal with Columbia Records. Elvis Costello and the Attractions, who consist of pianist Steve Nieve, bassist Bruce Thomas and unrelated drummer Pete Thomas, set off on their first tour of the United States. “My Aim is True,” which also produced the hit “Alison,” later included the song “Watching the Detectives,” once it was released in the US. The record would eventually sell more than 1 million copies. The band made an infamous appearance on Saturday Night Live, where they ruffled feathers by switching their set list while performing.

Click on the image to buy this photo

“This Year’s Model” was released on March 17th, 1978. Songs such as “Pump It Up,” and “Radio Radio,” helped the album climb the US charts and place #98 on Rolling Stone Magazine’s 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. The group toured through the US and Canada and then released “Armed Forces,” in 1979. This album was the first to mention the Attractions on the front cover and made it to the #10 spot on the US charts. “Get Happy!!” was released in 1981, followed by “Trust” that same year, but the band mates’ relationship with each other was on the rocks. They continued on, changing gears to release “Almost Blue,” an album entirely comprised of country music covers. The band then released “Punch the Clock,” in 1983, which included the hit single “Everyday I Write the Book,” but since the group’s members were no longer getting along, Costello announced his retirement and “Goodbye Cruel World,” was released in 1984.

Click on the image to buy T-shirt

Costello and the Attractions reformed in 1986 for the album “Blood and Chocolate.” Interestingly enough, Costello was credited on the record as “Napoleon Dynamite.” Although younger fans may associate the pseudonym with the 2004 motion picture of the same name, the film makers insist it is merely a coincidence. Costello then signed with Warner Bros. releasing “Spike,” in 1989. The album produced the track “Veronica,” which was co-written by Costello and Paul McCartney. Costello continued to collaborate with various artists, releasing only 2 of his next 9 albums with the Attractions. Elvis Costello and the Attractions released “All This Useless Beauty,” in 1996, and after touring, broke up.

Click on the image to buy photo

In 2001 Costello teamed up with “the Imposters,” who consisted of former Attractions members Steve Nieve and Pete Thomas and new bassist Davey Faragher. 2 years later Elvis Costello and the Attractions were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Costello himself continued his journey through the different facets of pop culture and entertainment. He released albums with various artists including the Imposters and has made guest appearances on television shows such as “Frasier,” “Two and a Half Men,” and with comedian Stephen Colbert. Costello currently hosts his own TV series “Spectacle” which can be seen on the Sundance Channel. Costello continues to perform in 2010 and is married to Canadian jazz superstar Diana Krall to which he has twin sons.

Filed Under: Rock Bands

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Cart

T-shirts

View all Products in this Category
View more T-Shirts

100 Greatest Rock & Roll Bands

  1. The Beatles
  2. The Rolling Stones
  3. Led Zeppelin
  4. Jimi Hendrix
  5. Elvis Presley
  6. The Who
  7. U2
  8. Pink Floyd
  9. The Doors
  10. The Police
  11. Elton John
  12. Metallica
  13. AC/DC
  14. Van Halen
  15. Nirvana
  16. Guns N' Roses
  17. Santana
  18. The Allman Brothers Band
  19. Bon Jovi
  20. David Bowie
  21. Grateful Dead
  22. Rush
  23. Yes
  24. Black Sabbath
  25. Bob Dylan
  26. James Brown
  27. The Beach Boys
  28. Eric Clapton
  29. Fleetwood Mac
  30. The Eagles
  31. Bob Marley
  32. Van Morrison
  33. Bruce Springsteen
  34. The Clash
  35. Queen
  36. Janis Joplin
  37. Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
  38. R.E.M.
  39. The Kinks
  40. Steely Dan
  41. Steve Miller Band
  42. Jethro Tull
  43. Tool
  44. The Scorpions
  45. Coldplay
  46. Stone Temple Pilots
  47. Rod Stewart
  48. Marilyn Manson
  49. Creedence Clearwater Revival
  50. KISS
  51. The Pretenders
  52. Green Day
  53. Aerosmith
  54. Tina Turner
  55. Pearl Jam
  56. Ted Nugent
  57. Pantera
  58. Motörhead
  59. Judas Priest
  60. ZZ Top
  61. Megadeth
  62. Motley Crue
  63. Alice Cooper
  64. Def Leppard
  65. Iron Maiden
  66. Billy Idol
  67. Journey
  68. Anthrax
  69. Rage Against the Machine
  70. Blue Oyster Cult
  71. Alice in Chains
  72. Genesis
  73. Red Hot Chili Peppers
  74. Chuck Berry
  75. Buddy Holly
  76. Little Richard
  77. Elvis Costello
  78. Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers
  79. Sex Pistols
  80. Cream
  81. Frank Zappa
  82. Talking Heads
  83. Stevie Ray Vaughan
  84. Billy Joel
  85. The Band
  86. Ramones
  87. Lynyrd Skynyrd
  88. Jerry Lee Lewis
  89. Doobie Brothers
  90. Foo Fighters
  91. The Cure
  92. Soundgarden
  93. Iggy Pop
  94. Peter Gabriel
  95. The Byrds
  96. Traffic
  97. Deep Purple
  98. Blondie
  99. Velvet Underground
  100. Heart

Home | Bands | Videos | Store | Events | Unsigned Bands | Blog | Contact

Copyright © 2023 · strictlyrock.com

Copyright © 2023 · Website Maintenance Services