Declan Patrick MacManus (born 25 August 1954), better known by his stage name
Elvis Costello, is an English musician, singer-songwriter and record producer. He began his career as part of London's
pub rock scene in the early 1970s and later became associated with the first wave of the British
punk and
new wave movement of the mid-to-late 1970s. His critically acclaimed debut album,
My Aim Is True, was recorded in 1977. Shortly after recording it he formed
the Attractions as his
backing band. His second album,
This Year's Model, was released in 1978, and was ranked number 11 by
Rolling Stone on its list of the best albums from 1967–1987. His third album,
Armed Forces, was released in 1979, and features his most successful single "
Oliver's Army". His first three albums all appeared on
Rolling Stone's list of the
500 Greatest Albums of All Time.