Elvis Costello is an English musician, singer, songwriter, composer, record producer, author, television presenter, and occasional actor….who began his career as part of London’s pub rock scene in the early 1970’s…. and later became associated with the first wave of the British punk and new wave movement that emerged in the mid-to-late 1970’s…..as his critically acclaimed debut album, My Aim Is True, was released in 1977….when shortly after recording it….he formed the Attractions as his backing band. His 2nd album, This Year’s Model, was released in 1978….and was ranked # 11 by Rolling Stone on its list of the best albums from 1967–1987….when his 3rd album, Armed Forces, was released in 1979….which features his highest-charting single “Oliver’s Army” ….reaching # 2 in the UK….as his first three albums all appeared on Rolling Stone‘s list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.
Costello and the Attractions toured and recorded together for the better part of a decade….although differences between them caused a split by 1986. Much of Costello’s work since has been as a solo artist, albeit reunions with members of the Attractions have been credited to the group over the years. Steeped in wordplay….the vocabulary of Costello’s lyrics is broad….as his music has drawn on many diverse genres….whereby one critic described him as a “pop encyclopedia”….who is able to “reinvent the past in his own image”. He has won multiple awards in his career….including a Grammy Award….while twice being nominated for the Brit Award for Best British Male Singer. In 2003, Costello and the Attractions were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame….and in 2004, Rolling Stone ranked Costello # 80 on their list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time.
Costello has co-written several original songs for motion pictures….which include “God Give Me Strength” from Grace of My Heart (1996) with Burt Bacharach….and “The Scarlet Tide” from Cold Mountain in 2003 with T-Bone Burnett…for he and Burnett were nominated for the Academy Award for Best Original Song and the Grammy Award for Best Song Written for Visual Media.
Having Elvis Costello in our vintage music library is a real treat for those of us at ImaSportsphile web page….cuz like Costello writes songs like a “pop encyclopedia” ….we write stories like a “sports enclyclopedia”…..cuz we’re of the opinion that artists like Elvis Costello deserve their place in history.
