Declan Patrick MacManus was born on 25 August 1954 in London. His stage name is a tribute to Elvis Presley and his mother's maiden name. His parents are trumpeter, singer and bandleader Ross MacManus and record shop manager Lillian MacManus. When Declan was still small, his father played and sang in a prominent Big Band and came home with records to practise the latest pop music. Declan loved listening to these, and his favourite songs were those by Frank Sinatra and Cole Porter's 'I've Got You Under My Skin'.
Own band
At the age of nine, he bought his first single, 'Please Please Me' by The Beatles. When Declan was sixteen, he moved with his mother (his parents had since divorced) from London to Liverpool. Declan's first public performances took place in a London folk club in 1970, and in 1973 he met Nick Lowe, bassist of Brinsley Schwartz, in a Liverpool pub. Soon after, Declan formed the band Flip City with Lowe's help.
My Aim Is True
After a few performances that did not go as well as he hoped, Declan went solo under the name DP Costello. In 1976, Stiff Records responded very positively to Costello's demo, and manager Jake Riviera signed him and advised him to change his name to Elvis Costello. He also decided to have Costello join the band Clover (now better known as Huey Lewis and the News). This resulted in Elvis Costello's first album, My Aim Is True (1977), recorded in 24 hours and produced by Nick Lowe. In May 1977, Elvis Costello performed for the first time as the opening act for The Rumour in London. The reactions were very positive, and shortly after, Costello's permanent band was formed, consisting of drummer Pete Thomas, Steve Nason (later Steve Nieve) on keyboards, and Bruce Thomas on bass. The first performances of Elvis Costello And The Attractions took place shortly before the release of My Aim Is True in July 1977.
Saturday Night Live
This album received good reviews, and shortly after, a single not on the album, 'Watching The Detectives', was released. This became Costello's first hit in England. Work immediately began on a second album, This Year's Model. Costello And The Attractions flew to the US for their first US tour, including a performance on Saturday Night Live in December 1977. Costello unexpectedly decided to play the critical song 'Radio Radio' there. This was not well received; he was banned from performing again on Saturday Night Live and was not invited back until 1989. The finishing touches were put on the album This Year's Model while My Aim Is True finally entered the American Top 40. This Year's Model was released in March 1978 and established Costello as one of the most talented and outspoken artists in new wave. The album reached the UK Top 5 and contained the hits '(I Don't Want to Go to) Chelsea' and 'Pump it Up'.
Top 2000
In the 24th edition of the Top 2000, Costello appears with only 2 listings:
Sunday Morning Classic
And then, on 26 February 2023, it was Elvis Costello's turn to take the stage on our Sunday Morning Classic podium with his album This Year's Model.
This second, and for me still by far favourite, second album by Elvis Costello, from 1978, deserves the title Sunday Morning Classic. The energy of punk combined with perfect songwriting, such as the classics Pump It Up, Little Triggers, Hand In Hand, Lipstick Vogue, makes this album great. In ’78, the less intense new wave had become its own genre and more hits followed. Also in the Netherlands. What about the Belgian Plastic Bertrand with the #1 punk hit Ça Plane pour Moi? Or Ian Dury & The Blockheads? Blondie even scored four hits that year, including #1 Denis.
This Year’s Model is an album that still stands strong after all these years. Clever songs, tight rhythms, driving keyboard work, a good drummer and Costello sneering his lyrics over it all. Costello has a love it or hate it voice. I usually belong to the first category.
About the cover: Photographer Chris Grabin has said: “Alongside a powerful stereo I kept a large record collection at my Camden Studio, and artists would choose music they enjoyed or were interested in for their sessions. Just as we were about to start shooting, Elvis asked me if I had Hotel California by the Eagles, and could I play it. I was puzzled by his choice – until he told me that he loathed the record, but wanted to look really pissed off and angry in the shots!”
Source: NPO Photo: Robman94
Below you will find a number of albums by Elvis Costello. If you are looking for another album, please let us know. We are happy to search within our network for you!
