Born Declan Patrick Aloysius McManus, British singer, guitar-ist, and composer Elvis Costello has been a mainstay of the popular music scene since his 1977 debut disc, My Aim Is True. The son of a jazz bandleader, Costello rode to prominence on the initial wave of British punk—and thanks in part to a stage persona that made obvious reference to Buddy Holly. A gifted lyricist with a flair for wordplay, he did his best work in collaboration with the Attractions, a virtuoso backing band anchored by Bruce Thomas (bass), Pete Thomas (drums), and Steve Nieve (keyboards). The band's early records, polished to a metallic sheen by producer Nick Lowe, combined Beatlesque pop smarts with an appreciation for American soul. The best of these are This Year's Model, Armed Forces, and Trust. Costello escaped from Lowe's clutches to record what is considered his masterwork, 1982's lyrically bruising, intricately textured Imperial Bedroom.

Further Reading:

Hinton, Brian. Elvis Costello: Let Them All Talk. London, Sanctuary Publishing, 1998.

Thomas, Bruce. The Big Wheel. New York, Faber & Faber, 1991.