Elvis Costello aka Declan MacManus aka (the original) Napoleon Dynamite aka The King of America announced today he will be going back on tour alongside his old pal Nick Lowe.
The tour's name, We're All Going on a Summer Holiday, sounds sweet, and it is. It's also the first line from the Costello-penned "The Beat" off his second album - which was produced by Lowe.
The pair have been dear friends since meeting at a bar across from the legendary Cavern club, where the Beatles used to play. Besides working and playing with each other for decades, Costello has covered the Lowe-penned anthem "(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love, and Understanding" over 1,000 times in concert - sometimes with his pal on stage. It was also included on his third album.
Lowe produced much of the classic music Elvis created in his early days: My Aim Is True (1977), This Year's Model (1978), Armed Forces (1979), Get Happy!! (1980) Trust (1981), and Blood & Chocolate (1986).
Despite having battled a prostate cancer scare a few years back, Elvis, 68, has been as prolific as ever and a creative force who is no stranger to the live stage.
Of his more interesting recording offerings of late was his reimagined version of This Year's Model dubbed Spanish Model where his lyrics were altered and Latin singers like Juanes and Nina Diaz "covered" the songs of the beloved 1978 LP.
Meanwhile on stage, Elvis, creator of the Spinning Songbook, just a few years ago performed “100 Songs and More,” a ten-night engagement at the Gramercy Theater where he belted out over 230 original songs, repeating just three titles.
Is that what inspired Metallica's forthcoming no-repeat weekend M72 World Tour? Perhaps.
Joining Costello's band, The Imposters, is guitar slinger Charlie Sexton. Even Elvis is self-deprecating when referring to his own talent on his instrument, so having hired gun will bring more to the Imposters' sound which is typically helmed by the always-impressive keyboardist Steve Nieve.
The 23-date June/July tour kicks off in Vancouver, Canada and concludes at the Met in Philly. Tickets available on Elvis's website.
Wed Jun 07 – Vancouver, BC – Queen Elizabeth Theatre
Fri Jun 09 – Woodinville, WA – Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery
Sat Jun 10 – Bend, OR – Hayden Homes Amphitheater
Sun Jun 11 – Reno, NV – Silver Legacy Casino Reno
Tue Jun 13 – San Francisco, CA – Golden Gate Theatre
Wed Jun 14 – Ventura, CA – Ventura Theatre
Fri Jun 16 – Los Angeles, CA – Greek Theatre
Sat Jun 17 – Las Vegas, NV – Pearl Concert Theater at Palms Casino Resort
Sun Jun 18 – Phoenix, AZ – Arizona Financial Theatre
Tue Jun 20 – Oklahoma City, OK – The Criterion
Wed Jun 21 – Omaha, NE – Steelhouse Omaha
Fri Jun 23 – Hammond, IN – The Venue at Horseshoe Casino
Sat Jun 24 – Milwaukee, WI – Summerfest
Sun Jun 25 – Nashville, IN – Brown County Music Center
Wed Jun 28 – Rochester Hills, MI – Meadow Brook Amphitheatre
Sat Jul 01 – Lenox, MA – Tanglewood
Sun Jul 02 – Hampton Beach, NH – Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom
Wed Jul 05 – Bridgeport, CT – Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater
Thu Jul 06 – Boston, MA – MGM Music Hall at Fenway
Sat Jul 08 – Syracuse, NY – Landmark Theatre
Sun Jul 09 – Baltimore, MD – The Lyric
Wed Jul 12 – New York, NY – Beacon Theatre
Fri Jul 14 – Philadelphia, PA – The Met Philadelphia
