"Two types of rock 'n' roll had become bankrupt to me. One was 'Look at me, I've got a big hairy chest and a big willy! and the other was the I'm-so-sensitive Jackson Browne school of seduction. They're both offensive and mawkish and neither has any real pride or confidence. "

Pop Encyclopedia Reinvents the Past in His Own Image

Elvis Costello, born Declan MacManus, is a musician, singer and songwriter known for his ability to embrace a variety of types of music as influences; few musicians have been able to encompass such a wide stylistic range as Costello. One critic has written, "Costello, the pop encyclopedia, can reinvent the past in his own image."

Costello grew up in London until he was sixteen. In 1971, he moved with his mother to Liverpool and formed his first band. He completed secondary school, then moved back to London and formed the band Flip City, which was active from 1974 until 1976. He married Mary Burgoyne, and had son, Matthew in 1975. During this time he worked a number of odd jobs in offices, cosmetic firms, and as a data entry clerk.

He was signed to Stiff Records on a demo tape and took the name Elvis Costello, which was a combination of Elvis Presley and is grandmother's maiden name, Costello. His first single was "Less Than Zero," which was released March, 1977. His first album, "My Aim Is True" was released two months later. He was marketed as a punk artist.

Costello is probably best-known for his performances with The Attractions and The Impostors. Some of is known recordings include "This Year's Model," "Imperial Bedroom," "King of America," "Blood and Chocolate," "Spike," "All of This Useless Beauty," "When I Was Cruel," "North," and "The Delivery Man." Many artists have recorded Costello's songs, including George Jones, Johnny Cash, Roy Orbison, and No Doubt, which displays his range of musical styles.

Throughout the course of his career, he has received musical honors such as a Dutch Edison Award with The Brodsky Quartet for The Juliet Letters and a Grammy for I Still Have That Other Girl, as well as a number of recent Grammy nominations for albums Whey I Was Cruel and The Delivery Man. He was nominated for an Oscar for Best Song "The Scarlet Tide," which was sung by Alison Krauss in Cold Mountain.

Most recently, Costello began recording a new album, The River in Reverse. It was released in the UK on May 2006.