Elvis Costello

Elvis Costello

Born August 25, 1954 (Age: 71) Paddington, London, England, UK

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.
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.
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Filmography

McCartney: The Hunt for the Lost Bass

McCartney: The Hunt for the Lost Bass

2026 as Self Age: 71
Ladies & Gentlemen... 50 Years of SNL Music

Ladies & Gentlemen... 50 Years of SNL Music

2025 as Self Age: 70
Ex Libris: The New York Public Library

Ex Libris: The New York Public Library

2017 as Self Age: 63
Roy Orbison: Black and White Night 30

Roy Orbison: Black and White Night 30

2017 as Self Age: 62
The Beatles: Eight Days a Week - The Touring Years

The Beatles: Eight Days a Week - The Touring Years

2016 as Self Age: 62
I Was There: When the Beatles Played the Cavern

I Was There: When the Beatles Played the Cavern

2011 as Self (archive footage) Age: 56
A Prairie Home Companion Live in HD!

A Prairie Home Companion Live in HD!

2010 as Self - Singer Age: 55
Live From Bonnaroo 2009

Live From Bonnaroo 2009

2009 as Self Age: 55
If It Ain't Stiff: The Stiff Records Story

If It Ain't Stiff: The Stiff Records Story

2007 as Self Age: 53
Delirious

Delirious

2007 as Elvis Costello Age: 52
Tony Bennett: Duets - The Making of an American Classic

Tony Bennett: Duets - The Making of an American Classic

2007 as Self Age: 52
The Harry Smith Project Live

The Harry Smith Project Live

2006 as Self Age: 52
Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby

Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby

2006 as Elvis Costello Age: 51
Putting the River in Reverse

Putting the River in Reverse

2006 as Self Age: 51
Grand Ole Opry Live

Grand Ole Opry Live

2006 as Self Age: 51
The Tomorrow Show with Tom Snyder: Punk & New Wave

The Tomorrow Show with Tom Snyder: Punk & New Wave

2006 as Self Age: 51
No Image

The Pretenders: No Turn Left Unstoned

2005 as Self Age: 51
Off The Beaten Path: A Road Trip With Elvis & Pete

Off The Beaten Path: A Road Trip With Elvis & Pete

2005 as Self Age: 50
De-Lovely

De-Lovely

2004 as Musical Performer - "Let's Misbehave" Age: 49
I Love Your Work

I Love Your Work

2003 as Self Age: 49
There's Only One Paul McCartney

There's Only One Paul McCartney

2002 as Self Age: 47
Unleaded

Unleaded

2000 as Elvis Costello Age: 45
Behind the Scenes of 'Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me'

Behind the Scenes of 'Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me'

1999 as Self Age: 45
Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me

Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me

1999 as Elvis Costello Age: 44
Here, There and Everywhere: A Concert for Linda

Here, There and Everywhere: A Concert for Linda

1999 as Self Age: 44
200 Cigarettes

200 Cigarettes

1999 as Self Age: 44
No Image

Elvis Costello and Burt Bacharach: Sessions at West 54th

1998 as Self Age: 44
Brian Wilson’s Imagination

Brian Wilson’s Imagination

1998 as Self Age: 43
Burt Bacharach: One Amazing Night

Burt Bacharach: One Amazing Night

1998 as Self Age: 43
Spice World

Spice World

1997 as Elvis Costello Age: 43
Tony Bennett's New York

Tony Bennett's New York

1996 as Self Age: 42
Tony Bennett: MTV Unplugged

Tony Bennett: MTV Unplugged

1994 as Self Age: 39
Weird Nightmare

Weird Nightmare

1993 as Self Age: 38
Elvis Costello and the Brodsky Quartet - The Juliet Letters

Elvis Costello and the Brodsky Quartet - The Juliet Letters

1991 as Self Age: 36
Elvis Costello & Friends Live at Sweetwater

Elvis Costello & Friends Live at Sweetwater

1989 as Age: 34
Roy Orbison and Friends: A Black and White Night

Roy Orbison and Friends: A Black and White Night

1988 as Self - Guitar/Electric Organ/Harmonica Age: 33
Red Shoes In the Land of the Midnight Sun: Elvis Costello & The Confederates Live in Tokyo

Red Shoes In the Land of the Midnight Sun: Elvis Costello & The Confederates Live in Tokyo

1987 as Self - Performer Age: 33
Straight to Hell

Straight to Hell

1987 as Hives The Butler Age: 32
No Image

The Way They Were: Punk and the New Wave 1976-1978

1986 as Self Age: 31
No Surrender

No Surrender

1985 as Rosco De Ville Age: 31
Live Aid

Live Aid

1985 as Self Age: 30
The Bullshitters: Roll Out the Gunbarrel

The Bullshitters: Roll Out the Gunbarrel

1984 as Stone Deaf A & R Man Age: 30
George Jones: With a Little Help from His Friends

George Jones: With a Little Help from His Friends

1981 as Self Age: 26
Concerts for the People of Kampuchea

Concerts for the People of Kampuchea

1981 as Self Age: 26
Elvis Costello & The Attractions Live in Montreaux

Elvis Costello & The Attractions Live in Montreaux

1980 as Self - Performer Age: 25
Elvis Costello and The Attractions: Live on Rockpalast

Elvis Costello and The Attractions: Live on Rockpalast

1978 as Self Age: 23
Elvis Costello and The Attractions: Live at The Capitol Theatre

Elvis Costello and The Attractions: Live at The Capitol Theatre

1978 as Self Age: 23
If It Ain't Stiff, It Ain't Worth a Fuck

If It Ain't Stiff, It Ain't Worth a Fuck

1978 as Self Age: 23