Elvis Costello (Declan Patrick MacManus) is an English musician, singer, songwriter, composer, record producer, author, television presenter, and occasional actor.

 

He began his career as part of London's pub rock scene in the early 1970s and later became associated with the first wave of the British punk and new wave movement that emerged in the mid-to-late 1970s.

His critically acclaimed debut album, My Aim Is True, was released in 1977. Shortly after recording it, Costello formed the Attractions as his backing band. His second album, This Year's Model, was released in 1978, and was ranked number 11 by Rolling Stone on its list of the best albums from 1967–1987. His third album, Armed Forces, was released in 1979, and features his highest-charting single "Oliver's Army" (number 2 in the UK). Costello's first 3 albums all appeared on Rolling Stone's list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.

 

Costello has won multiple awards in his career, including a Grammy Award, and has twice been nominated for the Brit Award for Best British Male Singer.

In 2003, Evlis Costello and the Attractions were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. In 2004, Rolling Stone ranked Elvis Costello number 80 on their list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time.