Elvis Costello
Edit
Enlarge Image
Early Life and Musical Beginnings
Elvis Costello, born Declan Patrick MacManus on August 25, 1954, in London, England, is a renowned English singer-songwriter, composer, record producer, television presenter, and actor. Raised in a musical household—his father was a jazz trumpeter and vocalist—Costello was drawn to music at an early age. He began his career performing in London’s vibrant pub rock scene during the early 1970s, a formative period that helped shape his distinctive sound blending punk, rock, and new wave influences.
Quick Facts
- Birth Date
- 25 Aug, 1954
- Age
- 65 yrs
- Occupations
- Singer-songwriter
Guitarist
Composer
Record producer
Show all facts
- Citizenship
- United Kingdom
- Birth Place
- London
- Gender
- Male
- Description
- English singer-songwriter
- Spouse
- Diana Krall [M. 2003]
- Net Worth 2020
- 70 million
- Net Worth 2021
- 70 million
Explore Related Biographies
Selected for this profile
People Mentioned in This Biography
Breakthrough Albums and Critical Acclaim
Costello gained national attention with the release of his debut album, My Aim Is True, in 1977. The album received critical acclaim for its sharp songwriting and distinctive sound. Building on this success, he released This Year's Model in 1978 with his backing band, The Attractions. The album further elevated his status and was later ranked number 11 on Rolling Stone magazine’s list of the 100 Best Albums of the Last 20 Years (1967–1987).
His third album, Armed Forces (1979), included the hit single “Oliver’s Army,” which reached number 2 on the UK Singles Chart. All three of these early albums—My Aim Is True, This Year’s Model, and Armed Forces—were ultimately included in Rolling Stone’s list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time, cementing Costello’s legacy as a groundbreaking artist in modern music history.
Film and Soundtrack Contributions
In addition to his studio work, Elvis Costello has contributed to several film soundtracks. Notable examples include “God Give Me Strength,” co-written with Burt Bacharach for the 1996 film Grace of My Heart, and “The Scarlet Tide,” co-written with T Bone Burnett for the 2003 film Cold Mountain. The latter earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Song.
His work in visual media also brought him recognition from the music industry, including a Grammy nomination for Best Song Written for Visual Media. These projects highlight Costello's versatility and ability to move seamlessly between traditional music formats and cinematic composition.
Elvis Costello's Wife and Family Life
Elvis Costello has been married three times. His first marriage was to Mary Burgoyne in 1974. In 1986, he married Cait O’Riordan, the former bassist of The Pogues; their marriage lasted until 2002. In 2003, Costello married jazz pianist and singer Diana Krall. Together, they have twin sons, born in 2006. Krall's own distinguished career in jazz music has made the couple one of the most respected artistic partnerships in the industry.
