Elvis Costello - The Early Years

In 1986 Elvis Costello could indisputably be called the most talented and critically acclaimed British songwriter to have emerged in the previous decade. His sharp sense of social observation, his uncompromising musical attitudes and his political awareness earned him a devoted cult following throughout the world which endures today. At the same time Costello has remained an elusive character, unpredictable in both style and performance and curiously reticent about his past. This book was the first major study of Costello's life and music, in which Mick St. Michael uncovered hitherto unrevealed facts about Costello's early career as the leader of Flip City, his arrival at Stiff Records in 1977 and subsequent career moves. Woven into the story is a varied assortment of the colourful characters who have played important roles in The Elvis Costello Story. Available now as an e-book after many years out of print, it has a contemporary 80’s flavour missing in subsequent biographies.