Elvis Costello

Declan MacManus is known as one of the most idiosyncratic new wave performers, under his alias Elvis Costello. The UK-born singer-songwriter had a string of Top 30 chart hits in the UK in the late 70s and early 80s, though his work throughout his career has always gathered critical respect.

Although he was initially marketed as a punk, his music originally seemed to sound more like pub-rock with country and Tin Pan Alley influences. With his trademark geeky glasses, suit and quiff -- a look not dissimilar to Buddy Holly –- Costello emerged in 1977 with debut album My Aim is True, and the memorable single "Alison". It was a classic debut, showcasing Costello's literate, witty lyrics, and his ear for a catchy tune too. It was arguably surpassed when Costello, now recording with The Attractions as his backing band, released his second album, This Year's Model (1978), which featured three of his most famous songs: "Pump It Up", "(I Don't Want to Go to) Chelsea" and "Radio Radio".

1979 saw the release of Armed Forces, which featured perhaps his best known hit: "Oliver's Army", a song critical of the British Army's recruitment policy in Northern Ireland, went to No.2 in the British charts despite a degree of controversy over the lyrics. In 1980, he changed musical direction with the heavily soul-influenced Get Happy!!, and then demonstrated his versatility with 1981's eclectic Trust. Both albums were huge critical success, and Costello was a critic's darling having released five excellent albums in five successive years. Almost Blue was a covers record, with Costello tackling his favourite country & western songs, while Imperial Bedroom had a similar album to Trust, and was equally well-regarded.

After seven highly acclaimed albums, Costello finally dropped a clanger with the average Punch the Clock, followed by another with Goodbye Cruel World. Costello continued to tour and record regularly, and subsequent albums King of America, Blood and Chocolate (both 1986), and Painted From Memory (a 1998 collaboration with Burt Bacharach) were highly regarded.

Costello is now married to Canadian singer Diana Krall. In 2004, Costello widened his already-impressive musical scope by composing a work of classical ballet.

Declan MacManus is known as one of the most idiosyncratic new wave performers, under his alias Elvis Costello. The UK-born singer-songwriter had a string of Top 30 chart hits in the UK in the late 70s and early 80s, though his work throughout his career has always gathered critical respect.

Although he was initially marketed as a punk, his music originally seemed to sound more like pub-rock with country and Tin Pan Alley influences. With his trademark geeky glasses, suit and quiff -- a look not dissimilar to Buddy Holly –- Costello emerged in 1977 with debut album My Aim is True, and the memorable single "Alison". It was a classic debut, showcasing Costello's literate, witty lyrics, and his ear for a catchy tune too. It was arguably surpassed when Costello, now recording with The Attractions as his backing band, released his second album, This Year's Model (1978), which featured three of his most famous songs: "Pump It Up", "(I Don't Want to Go to) Chelsea" and "Radio Radio".

1979 saw the release of Armed Forces, which featured perhaps his best known hit: "Oliver's Army", a song critical of the British Army's recruitment policy in Northern Ireland, went to No.2 in the British charts despite a degree of controversy over the lyrics. In 1980, he changed musical direction with the heavily soul-influenced Get Happy!!, and then demonstrated his versatility with 1981's eclectic Trust. Both albums were huge critical success, and Costello was a critic's darling having released five excellent albums in five successive years. Almost Blue was a covers record, with Costello tackling his favourite country & western songs, while Imperial Bedroom had a similar album to Trust, and was equally well-regarded.

After seven highly acclaimed albums, Costello finally dropped a clanger with the average Punch the Clock, followed by another with Goodbye Cruel World. Costello continued to tour and record regularly, and subsequent albums King of America, Blood and Chocolate (both 1986), and Painted From Memory (a 1998 collaboration with Burt Bacharach) were highly regarded.

Costello is now married to Canadian singer Diana Krall. In 2004, Costello widened his already-impressive musical scope by composing a work of classical ballet.

Declan MacManus is known as one of the most idiosyncratic new wave performers, under his alias Elvis Costello. The UK-born singer-songwriter had a string of Top 30 chart hits in the UK in the late 70s and early 80s, though his work throughout his career has always gathered critical respect.

Although he was initially marketed as a punk, his music originally seemed to sound more like pub-rock with country and Tin Pan Alley influences. With his trademark geeky glasses, suit and quiff -- a look not dissimilar to Buddy Holly –- Costello emerged in 1977 with debut album My Aim is True, and the memorable single "Alison". It was a classic debut, showcasing Costello's literate, witty lyrics, and his ear for a catchy tune too. It was arguably surpassed when Costello, now recording with The Attractions as his backing band, released his second album, This Year's Model (1978), which featured three of his most famous songs: "Pump It Up", "(I Don't Want to Go to) Chelsea" and "Radio Radio".

1979 saw the release of Armed Forces, which featured perhaps his best known hit: "Oliver's Army", a song critical of the British Army's recruitment policy in Northern Ireland, went to No.2 in the British charts despite a degree of controversy over the lyrics. In 1980, he changed musical direction with the heavily soul-influenced Get Happy!!, and then demonstrated his versatility with 1981's eclectic Trust. Both albums were huge critical success, and Costello was a critic's darling having released five excellent albums in five successive years. Almost Blue was a covers record, with Costello tackling his favourite country & western songs, while Imperial Bedroom had a similar album to Trust, and was equally well-regarded.

After seven highly acclaimed albums, Costello finally dropped a clanger with the average Punch the Clock, followed by another with Goodbye Cruel World. Costello continued to tour and record regularly, and subsequent albums King of America, Blood and Chocolate (both 1986), and Painted From Memory (a 1998 collaboration with Burt Bacharach) were highly regarded.

Costello is now married to Canadian singer Diana Krall. In 2004, Costello widened his already-impressive musical scope by composing a work of classical ballet.