finetune artist: Elvis Costello/Burt Bacharach

b. Declan Patrick McManus, 25 August 1954, Paddington, London, England, and after attending Hounslow Secondary Modern moved with his mother to Liverpool. His father was the singer and band leader Ross McManus, a featured vocalist with the Joe Loss Orchestra and the voice behind the R. Whites "Secret Lemonade Drinker" commercial. After completing his education and moving back to London, Costello took the first of several menial jobs. By this point in time (the early 70s) he had begun singing in folk clubs, both as a solo artist and with fellow musician Allan Mayes in Rusty. In 1974 he formed the pub rock outfit Flip City with his friends Mich Kent and Malcolm Dennis, and in November of the same year married for the first time. By the end of the following year Flip City had folded, and Costello was forced to take a job as a computer operator for the Elizabeth Arden factory in Acton. He went back to performing as a solo artist, billing himself as DP Costello (the surname was his paternal great-grandmother's maiden name). The aspiring singer-songwriter toured A&R offices giving impromptu performances, but a projected contract with Island Records fell through. He was eventually signed as a solo act to Dave Robinson and Jake Riveria's pioneering Stiff Records label. Riveria became his manager and persuaded the singer to change his name to Elvis Costello - the adoption of the christian name of a rock 'n' roll icon was considered a provocative statement at the time.

Listen to Elvis Costello/Burt Bacharach at Finetune.

(1998) Painted From Memory: The New Songs of Bacharach and Costello

I'll Never Fall In Love Again
God Give Me Strength
In the Darkest Place
Painted From Memory
Toledo