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Elvis Costello and the Attractions

ELVIS COSTELLO AND THE ATTRACTIONS

YEAR

2003

INDUCTED BY

Elton John

CATEGORY

Performers

Elvis Costello took the literacy of folk music and broke it wide open against the ragged edges of punk.

He was one of the best and most consistent songwriters of his generation, but he never used that as an excuse to get repetitive—Elvis Costello has experimented with everything from punk to opera.

Bruce Thomas

Bruce Thomas

Elvis Costello

Elvis Costello

Pete Thomas

Pete Thomas

Steve Nieve

Steve Nieve

HALL OF FAME
ESSAY

By Ashley Kahn

In some ways, 1977 is almost ancient history now, back when a skinny-tied, gap-toothed, Fender-banging Buddy Holly look-alike from England formed a band, called it the Attractions and dared to name himself after the King of Rock & Roll.

At first, Elvis Costello seemed a part of punk’s spit and audacity, his music spinning aggression into slashing riffs with lyrics that became slogans of the season. “I’m not angry – anymore,” he claimed through clenched teeth. “Everything,” he charged, “means less than zero.” “My aim,” he promised in the title of his debut album, “is true.”

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Class of 2003
his songs have no musical boundaries
Elton John
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