Elvis Costello, the legendary musician, has spoken candidly about his mortality in an exclusive interview with the ECHO ahead of his upcoming gig at the Liverpool Olympia on June 21. The 71-year-old singer, born Declan MacManus, will perform with his band The Imposters and Charlie Sexton in a show titled Radio Soul!, revisiting songs from the first decade of his remarkable career.
A Deep Connection to Liverpool
Costello holds strong ties to the Merseyside region. His mother, Lillian, grew up near Smithdown Road, and his father, Ross, hailed from Birkenhead. The Pump It Up singer spent many of his formative years in Merseyside, and he credits the area's rich musical heritage with shaping his own artistic tastes. Despite his enduring love for performing in Liverpool, his last show in the city was marred by sound issues, leaving him disappointed.
Emotional Return to the Olympia
The upcoming concert holds special significance for Costello. It marks his first performance in Liverpool since the passing of his mother, who saw him play live for the last time at the Olympia in 2020. He expects this month's show to be an emotionally charged experience. Reflecting on life and the future, Costello said: "I'm not being morbid, but you don't know how long you've got. I'm in pretty good form right now, but you can't predict the future, so you should enjoy every opportunity. We're just going to try and have as much fun doing it while we can. I don't know if or when they'll be back. I'm not saying it in a morbid way, I'm just saying that's the reality."
Health and Longevity
When asked about reports concerning his health in 2018, Costello downplayed the severity, reassuring fans that he has no immediate plans to step away from performing. He remarked: "Don't you worry about that. I was saying to someone the other day that, 'Too many of my friends have had real serious problems'." The musician emphasized the importance of savoring every moment on stage, acknowledging the uncertainty of life while remaining committed to his craft.
For the full exclusive interview with Elvis Costello, readers can visit the Liverpool ECHO website. Follow Liverpool ECHO on Facebook, X (Twitter), and Instagram for more updates.
