Phill Jupitus on 6 Music this morning said that his iPod was "70 per cent Elvis Costello", and has espoused our hero's virtues for ages. Any other famous fans that you know of? I've also heard Bowie say of all the songs around, he wishes he'd written Shipbuilding.
I always thought Elvis should've made more of Thom Yorke's fandom - he relaunched Blood & Chocolate during Radiohead's ascendancy - the record company should've slapped Yorke's glowing endorsements all over the advertising, thereby capturing a new young fanbase.
I remember reading an article where Billy Joel said he thought EC had the best lyrics out there and that someone else (?) had the best tunes. In the article I read, he didn't mention specific songs.
I've seen Kim Wilde, most of Squeeze, Desiree, the Pretenders, Jo Brand, Antione De Cannes (eurotrash), David Trewlis,Julia Carling ex wife of Will, amongst others at elvis gigs. Gaby Roslin was gushing all over him at a chat show I saw him at. Johnny Vaughn had elvis sing at his wedding.
When Letterman hearted, Elvis was a guest host, and did an admirable job. I wonder if Dave selected him, as a fan, or if a producer/director of the Late Night talk show selected him. Letterman?
"The smarter mysteries are hidden in the light" - Jean Giono (1895-1970)
I've spotted Steve Bucemi in the audience at multiple EC shows in NYC. Have also seen Michael McKean, Paul Rudd, Willie Garson, Trisha Yearwood and Caroline Rhea at various shows in recent years.
Slightly related, Irish Prime Minister Bertram 'Bertie' Ahearn attended one of the Bachrach shows in which Elvis guested in Dublin in 1999. Is this the only time that Elvis has performed before a sitting leader of a country?
Several times I have seen EC in Liverpool and Alan Bleasdeale has been there in the audience. (A famous English TV playwright, for all the people who don't know.)
Somehow I don't really buy that - do you have a source?
The old Beyond Belief fanzine includes quotes from two interviews in which Chris Rock mentioned EC. From issue #20/21:
In the May 13 [1999] issue of Rolling Stone, US comedian Chris Rock on catching up with music that he has missed: "I just bought, like, twelve Elvis Costello albums."
From Beyond Belief #22:
Comedian Chris Rock on Elvis again, from the San Diego Union-Tribune: "That's who I really want to be like. He's my idol. He's the best songwriter; he's the best, period. What's my favorite album by him? All of his stuff. His songs are always interesting, and always have just the right amount of wit.
I've never heard of a Chris Rock sighting at an EC concert though.