NEVER mediocre, brilliant Rock and Roll singer/songwriter Elvis Costello (1954–) was born Declan Patrick McManus in London, England. An only child, he once worked as a computer operator before turning fully to music.

"I'm suspicious of artificial optimism," he once said. "Although I quite enjoy the real thing."

In 1977, he changed his name and hit it big with My Aim Is True. Thrust into the music world as part of the punk-pop scene, he admitted that anger, revenge, and guilt fueled his muse.

Over the years, Costello has mellowed. Still outspoken, his anger evolved into caustic wit as he continued to write fiercely literate lyrics. With ever-changing music styles, he’s impossible to pigeon-hole.

Rock, he once said, "symbolizes to me all the pompous, conceited music that I can't stand." He preferred calling what he plays "rowdy rhythm."

Costello remained true to his vision, choosing the artists he wanted to perform with: Bob Dylan, Roy Orbison, Paul McCartney, and Tony Bennett among them. His Grammy-winning 1998 collaboration with Burt Bacharach, Painted From Memory, was a masterclass in orchestral pop songwriting.

About praise from critics, Costello warned: "Never think about it—it’s not good to get an inflated ego."

Reflecting on genre bias, he explained to Newsweek: "There’s a danger in believing one form of music is more valid than another... The best songwriters are just the best songwriters."