Elvis Costello, the legendary singer-songwriter, declared he's stepping back from creating new music after a prolific 48-year career. Performing at New York's intimate Soho Sessions loft on Tuesday, the 70-year-old behind hits like "Alison" and "Veronica" told the New York Post, "I've made so many records. Now, I'll let others take the stage."
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Yet, he captivated a star-studded crowd, including Whoopi Goldberg, Tracy Morgan, Susan Sarandon, Liev Schreiber, John McEnroe, and Paulina Porizkova, with a nostalgic set that echoed his early days.
Costello reminisced about his first New York gig at The Bottom Line.
"That venue wasn't much bigger than this," he said. "Later, we hit the Palladium on 14th Street, when it had real grit." Now a Manhattan resident with his wife, jazz pianist Diana Krall, and their 18-year-old twin sons, Dexter and Frank, he savors small venues.
"You find places that feel alive," he added. "This one sparked joy."
Costello Displays Charitable Heart
As a surprise guest during Grammy-winning New Orleans musician Trombone Shorty's set, alongside keyboardist Ivan Neville, Costello celebrated his ties to the Big Easy. He recalled working with the late Allen Toussaint on their 2006 album The River in Reverse. "We recorded just months after Hurricane Katrina," he told the Post. "The city faced curfews, and Allen lost his home and studio. His strength inspired me." Their performance opened with Toussaint's "On Your Way Down," a nod to that bond.
The event raised funds for the Trombone Shorty Foundation, which supports young musicians. Costello, a veteran of charity performances since Live Aid in 1985, emphasized the cause. "Raising awareness matters," he said. "But you don't seek praise -- you just help."
Forging Ahead
Costello's 1989 hit "Veronica," co-written with Paul McCartney, carries a deeply personal story. "It's about my grandmother's Alzheimer's," he shared. "We wrote a joyful song to capture her fading moments of light."
The collaboration with McCartney, a fellow Rock & Roll Hall of Famer, produced 15 songs, blending sharp lyrics with vibrant melodies.
Turning 70 last August, Costello remains unfazed by age. "It doesn't weigh on me," he said, grateful for his family, including his older son, Matthew, 50, from his first marriage. As he prepares to tour with his band, the Imposters, starting June 12, he'll focus on early hits.
"Covering 50 years in one show is tough," he noted. "We'll play songs from the first few years."
