Results for Elvis Costello > Backstage

British-born songwriter Declan MacManus fused his mother's maiden name and the first name of The King to create a stage name as unique as the music he performs. Mentioned in the same breath as Bob Dylan for the quality of his lyrics, Costello's sound...more

British-born songwriter Declan MacManus fused his mother's maiden name and the first name of The King to create a stage name as unique as the music he performs. Mentioned in the same breath as Bob Dylan for the quality of his lyrics, Costello's sound has been called cerebral, manic and sophisticated, and many of his 300 songs have been recorded by other artists, including Roy Orbison, George Jones and Johnny Cash. Since his first album in 1977, My Aim Is True, Costello has written and performed rock, jazz, reggae-influenced and new wave genres and has collaborated with Paul McCartney, the Brodsky Quartet, The London Philharmonic Orchestra and Burt Bachrach. If Costello's product and collaborations seem odd combinations, they also reflect his wide interests and great talent. Top Costello albums include Get Happy, 1980; King of America, 1986; The Juliet Letters, 1993 and Painted from Memory, 1998. The artist's personal life hit the upswing with his December, 2003 marriage to Canadian jazz singer/pianist Diana Krall, and through the decade he's continue to tour and release records....less