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.
Personal Details
Also Known As
Movies (38)
Ladies & Gentlemen... 50 Years of SNL Music
as Self
2025
Elvis Costello & WDR Big Band @ Leverkusener Jazztage 2025
2025
Alma Naidu @ Levekusener Jazztage 2025
2025
The Specials: A Message to You
as Self
2024
Sounds of Liverpool at the BBC
as Self (archive footage)
2023
Roy Orbison Forever
as Self
2022
Lindisfarne’s Geordie Genius: The Alan Hull Story
as Self
2021
Johnny Cash: The Man in Black in Britain
as Self
2020
Ringo Starr’s Big Birthday Show
as Self - Performer
2020
Sesame Street's 50th Anniversary Celebration
as Self
2019
Tower of Song: A Memorial Tribute to Leonard Cohen
as Self - Performer
2018
Ex Libris: The New York Public Library
as Self
2017
Roy Orbison: Black and White Night 30
as Self
2017
The Beatles: Eight Days a Week - The Touring Years
as Self
2016
Elvis Costello - Detour Live at Liverpool Philharmonic Hall
as Self
2015
Lost Songs: The Basement Tapes Continued
as Self
2014
Elvis Costello: Mystery Dance
as Self
2013
Experience Montreux
as Self
2013
Elvis Costello & The Imposters: The Return Of The Spectacular Spinning Songbook
as Self - Performer
2012
A MusiCares Tribute to Neil Young
as Self
2011
I Was There: When the Beatles Played the Cavern
as Self (archive footage)
2011
Love Shines
as Self
2010
Hard Rock Calling 2010
as Self
2010
A Prairie Home Companion Live in HD!
as Self - Singer
2010
Live From Bonnaroo 2009
as Self
2009
A Colbert Christmas: The Greatest Gift of All!
as Self
2008
Memento Mori
as Self
2008
If It Ain't Stiff: The Stiff Records Story
as Self
2007
Delirious
as Elvis Costello
2007
Elvis Costello: Live: A Case for Song
as Self - Vocals, Guitar
2007
Tony Bennett: Duets - The Making of an American Classic
as Self
2007
The Old, Weird America: Harry Smith's Anthology of American Folk Music
as Self
2007
Elvis Costello & Allen Toussaint: Hot as a Pistol, Keen as a Blade
as Self
2006
The Harry Smith Project Live
as Self
2006
Before the Music Dies
as Self - Musician
2006
Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby
as Elvis Costello
2006
Elvis Costello & Friends
as Self (archive footage)
2006
Putting the River in Reverse
as Self
2006
TV Shows (12)
Words + Music
as Self
2025
This Is Pop
as Self (archive footage)
2021
Pete the Cat
as Pete's Dad (voice)
2017
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
as Self
2015
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
as Self - Musical Guest
2014
Hamburg Journal
as self
2011
Treme
as Self
2010
Live from the Artists Den
as Self
2009
Spectacle: Elvis Costello with...
as Self
2008
The Graham Norton Show
as Self
2007
Legends
as Self
2006
30 Rock
as Elvis Costello
2006