Person
Elvis Costello
Paddington, London, England, UK
Referencing prodigies of rock lyricism may not bring Elvis Costello to mind for some, but he does deserve consideration. Through the course of over four decades, the former comput…
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Referencing prodigies of rock lyricism may not bring Elvis Costello to mind for some, but he does deserve consideration. Through the course of over four decades, the former computer programmer has maintained a career as a singer-songwriter, giving the likes of Bob Dylan himself a reckoning. He was born Declan MacManus in London, England, on August 25, 1954. He took the moniker Elvis Costello in 1977, adopting his first name from Elvis Presley and the last part from the maiden name of his mother. Also in '77, Costello's debut album My Aim Is True was released, drawing connections to the new wave and punk movement while showing musical variance. That year, Costello's band The Attractions was assembled. The group released a number of albums, including This Year's Model, Armed Forces, and Trust. 1986's Blood and Chocolate produced memorable, literate gems, such as "Tokyo Storm Warning" and "I Want You." After the Attractions' final show in 1996, caused by conflict between Costello and the band's bassist Bruce Thomas, two of the group's other members would become part of his new backing band, The Imposters. Costello has released over 30 albums.
Filmography
Movies and shows, newest first
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2026
McCartney: The Hunt for the Lost Bass
Movie Self
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2025
Words + Music
TV show Self
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2025
Ladies & Gentlemen... 50 Years of SNL Music
Movie Self
- 2025
- 2025
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2024
Record On: The Specials - A Message to You
Movie Self
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2023
Sounds of Liverpool at the BBC
Movie Self (archive footage)
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2022
Roy Orbison Forever
Movie Self
- 2021
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2021
This Is Pop
TV show Self (archive footage)
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2020
Johnny Cash: The Man in Black in Britain
Movie Self
-
2020
Ringo Starr’s Big Birthday Show
Movie Self - Performer
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2019
Sesame Street's 50th Anniversary Celebration
Movie Self
-
2018
Tower of Song: A Memorial Tribute to Leonard Cohen
Movie Self - Performer
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2017
Pete the Cat
TV show Pete's Dad (voice)
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2017
Ex Libris: The New York Public Library
Movie Self
More credits
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2017
Roy Orbison: Black and White Night 30
Movie Self
- 2016
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2015
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
TV show Self
- 2015
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2014
Lost Songs: The Basement Tapes Continued
Movie Self
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2014
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
TV show Self - Musical Guest
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2013
Elvis Costello: Mystery Dance
Movie Self
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2013
Experience Montreux
Movie Self
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2012
Elvis Costello & The Imposters: The Return Of The Spectacular Spinning Songbook
Movie Self - Performer
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2011
A MusiCares Tribute to Neil Young
Movie Self
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2011
Hamburg Journal
TV show self
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2011
I Was There: When the Beatles Played the Cavern
Movie Self (archive footage)
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2010
Love Shines
Movie Self
-
2010
Hard Rock Calling 2010
Movie Self
-
2010
Treme
TV show Elvis Costello
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2010
A Prairie Home Companion Live in HD!
Movie Self - Singer
-
2009
Live From Bonnaroo 2009
Movie Self
-
2009
Live from the Artists Den
TV show Self
-
2008
Spectacle: Elvis Costello with...
TV show Self
- 2008
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2008
Memento Mori
Movie Self
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2007
If It Ain't Stiff: The Stiff Records Story
Movie Self
-
2007
Delirious
Movie Elvis Costello
-
2007
Elvis Costello: Live: A Case for Song
Movie Self - Vocals, Guitar
