Elvis Costello

Elvis Costello or Declan Patrick MacManus was born on August 25, 1954 in the UK. He is a songwriter and a singer. He started his career in London as part of the pub rock scene (1970s) and was later connected to the New Wave music movement. His first album My Aim Is True (1976) and his second album This Year's Model was released in 1978. This album was ranked #11 by Rolling Stone.
Costello and his band The Attractions recorded for almost ten years but by 1986 they had split up. Most of Costello's' work has been as a solo artist. Costello's lyrics use wordplay and his music ranges over many genres. He has won many awards in his career included the Brit Award for Best British Male nomination and a Grammy Award in the U.S. Costello and The Attractions were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2003 and in 2004 Rolling Stone listed Costello as number 80 on their list of 100 greatest artists.
In 2001 Costello wrote the music for a new ballet while working at UCLA. He produced and sang with Anne Sofie von Otter and released his album When I Was Cruel. In 2003 Costello, Bruce Springsteen, Steve Van Zandt, and Dave Grohl performed at the 45th Grammy Awards. In 2003 Costello became engaged to jazz singer Diana Krall and later that year he released North which is an album of piano ballads. He appeared that same year in the television series Frasier. His song Scarlet Tide tapped in the film Cold Mountain was nominated for an Academy Award and Costello performed the song with Alison Krauss at the awards ceremony.
In 2013 Costello released his album Wise Up Ghost and claimed that this was his last album. He decided to spend more time with his sons and do occasional concerts when money becomes an issue. In October 2013 Costello was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Music from the New England Conservatory in Boston, Mass.
Cotello married Mary Burgoyne in 1974. They had one son. In 1985 he married Cait O'Riordan but split in 2002. He married Diana Krall in 2003 at the home of Elton John. They have twin sons.