Record Mirror, April 4, 1981: Difference between revisions
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'''Another knock-out Mike Nicholls interview | '''Another knock-out Mike Nicholls interview | ||
{{Bibliography text}} | {{Bibliography text}} | ||
Could he be turning over a new leaf? The day before Elvis Costello had appeared on '' | Could he be turning over a new leaf? The day before Elvis Costello had appeared on ''Jim'll Fix It'' allowing a young lad to realise his ambition of joining the road crew. Now, following a knockout [[Concert 1981-03-08 Manchester|performance]] at Manchester's Apollo Theatre, fans are being permitted backstage. Not too many of them, mind, and not for too long. But long enough to get an autograph, indulge in a little small talk and maybe grab a quick Instamatic snap of themselves with the star. | ||
After four years of surliness and apparent disregard for the people who had put him where he was, Elvis was playing Mr Nice Guy. | After four years of surliness and apparent disregard for the people who had put him where he was, Elvis was playing Mr Nice Guy. | ||
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With not having done interviews for so long, it's getting to the point where he's lucky to have his picture printed. Out of sight out of mind and so what better way of re-establishing contact with the consumers than via the media? | With not having done interviews for so long, it's getting to the point where he's lucky to have his picture printed. Out of sight out of mind and so what better way of re-establishing contact with the consumers than via the media? | ||
A realisation of this on the part of his management probably accounted for the ''Jim'll Fix It'' appearance. And since personal contact with what's left of the fans also seems a good way of nurturing a revival, why not let 'em backstage? | A realisation of this on the part of his management probably accounted for the ''Jim'll Fix It'' [[TV 1981-03-07 Jim'll Fix It|appearance]]. And since personal contact with what's left of the fans also seems a good way of nurturing a revival, why not let 'em backstage? | ||
Talking to journalists, however, remains out of the question. Only recently he told the ''[[London Observer, February 15, 1981|Observer]]'', in some surprise dialogue for their "A Room of My Own" series, "journalists hound me, which is why I haven't given an interview for years." | Talking to journalists, however, remains out of the question. Only recently he told the ''[[London Observer, February 15, 1981|Observer]]'', in some surprise dialogue for their "A Room of My Own" series, "journalists hound me, which is why I haven't given an interview for years." | ||
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The reason he qualified his reply with the word "considering" was as a result of almost blowing his career over there in one fell swoop just under two years ago. To re-cap, he was sitting in a bar in Columbus, Ohio, after one of the many slap-bang-let's-get-it-over-with gigs of that particular tour. | The reason he qualified his reply with the word "considering" was as a result of almost blowing his career over there in one fell swoop just under two years ago. To re-cap, he was sitting in a bar in Columbus, Ohio, after one of the many slap-bang-let's-get-it-over-with gigs of that particular tour. | ||
Well worse for wear from drink, he got into a spitting row with ageing US-hippies Bonnie Bramlett and Steve Stills, roundly slagging off the American nation. its customs, curiosities — and entertainers. Two of those he singled out were | Well worse for wear from drink, he got into a spitting row with ageing US-hippies Bonnie Bramlett and Steve Stills, roundly slagging off the American nation. its customs, curiosities — and entertainers. Two of those he singled out were Ray Charles and James Brown. One he called "a blind ignorant nigger", the other "a jive-ass nigger" before getting roughed up by some of the Bramlett entourage. | ||
The media got wind of these remarks, the incident escalating to a national outrage, precipitating death threats and picketing of later gigs. Even a hastily-convened apologetic Press conference failed to clear the air and it was reckoned that within the space of a couple of drunken moments Costello had irreparably damaged his chances of comprehensively cracking the States. | The media got wind of these remarks, the incident escalating to a national outrage, precipitating death threats and picketing of later gigs. Even a hastily-convened apologetic Press conference failed to clear the air and it was reckoned that within the space of a couple of drunken moments Costello had irreparably damaged his chances of comprehensively cracking the States. | ||
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Yeah, but they're too derivative. They'll have to start writing their own stuff if they're going to have any credibility. | Yeah, but they're too derivative. They'll have to start writing their own stuff if they're going to have any credibility. | ||
"I told them that. Otherwise the trick is to pick older or less well-known numbers like I did with Sam | "I told them that. Otherwise the trick is to pick older or less well-known numbers like I did with Sam & Dave's 'I Can't Stand Up For Falling Down'." | ||
With the conversation looking like it's getting too close to being an interview for comfort — it's taken some manoeuvring not to get shuttled out with the autograph hunters, I can tell you — I deflect attention from myself by ushering through some more fans. One of them is evidently a fanatic, giving Elvis every record he's ever made to sign — including the rare and not inexpensive ''Live At The El Mocambo'' promotional LP. Maintaining his avuncular pose, Costello dutifully scribbles across every sleeve, exclaiming disbelief at having released so many records. | With the conversation looking like it's getting too close to being an interview for comfort — it's taken some manoeuvring not to get shuttled out with the autograph hunters, I can tell you — I deflect attention from myself by ushering through some more fans. One of them is evidently a fanatic, giving Elvis every record he's ever made to sign — including the rare and not inexpensive ''Live At The El Mocambo'' promotional LP. Maintaining his avuncular pose, Costello dutifully scribbles across every sleeve, exclaiming disbelief at having released so many records. | ||
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Interviewing Elvis Costello is abnormal but all things considered don't regret getting hit and see no reason to bear a grudge against an artist whose work I admire. It's not the first time I've been involved in a fight and almost certainly won't be the last. Plus all the best stories have a sting in the tail. This one just happens to have a bang on the head. Now what was that about Bruce Springsteen not doing interviews? | Interviewing Elvis Costello is abnormal but all things considered don't regret getting hit and see no reason to bear a grudge against an artist whose work I admire. It's not the first time I've been involved in a fight and almost certainly won't be the last. Plus all the best stories have a sting in the tail. This one just happens to have a bang on the head. Now what was that about Bruce Springsteen not doing interviews? | ||
{{cx}} | |||
{{tags}}[[Concert 1981-03-08 Manchester|Apollo Theatre, Manchester]] {{-}} [[TV 1981-03-07 Jim'll Fix It|Jim'll Fix It]] {{-}} [[This Year's Model]] {{-}} [[Bruce Springsteen]] {{-}} [[Bob Dylan]] {{-}} [[The Attractions]] {{-}} [[Armed Forces]] {{-}} [[Get Happy!!]] {{-}} [[Trust]] {{-}} [[Oliver's Army]] {{-}} [[Clubland]] {{-}} [[From A Whisper To A Scream]] {{-}} [[Blondie]] {{-}} [[The Jam]] {{-}} [[The Police]] {{-}} [[Stray Cats]] {{-}} [[Spandau Ballet]] {{-}} [[:Category:London Observer|London Observer]] {{-}} [[London Observer, February 15, 1981|A Room Of My Own]] {{-}} [[Jake Riviera]] {{-}} [[Stiff Records]] {{-}} [[The Damned]] {{-}} [[Watch Your Step]] {{-}} [[Ray Charles]] {{-}} [[James Brown]] {{-}} [[Bonnie Bramlett]] {{-}} [[Stephen Stills]] {{-}} [[Bobby Bland]] {{-}} [[Merle Haggard]] {{-}} [[Clive Langer]] {{-}} [[Graham Parker]] {{-}} [[Squeeze]] {{-}} [[Chris Difford]] {{-}} [[F-Beat]] {{-}} [[Dexys Midnight Runners]] {{-}} [[Q-Tips]] {{-}} [[I Can't Stand Up For Falling Down]] {{-}} [[Sam & Dave]] {{-}} [[Live At The El Mocambo]] {{-}} [[Sounds]] {{-}} [[Concert 1981-03-05 Wolverhampton|Wolverhampton Civic Hall]] {{-}} [[Watching The Detectives]] {{-}} [[One Day I'll Fly Away]] | |||
{{cx}} | {{cx}} | ||
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{{Bibliography next | {{Bibliography next | ||
|prev = Record Mirror, March 14, 1981 | |prev = Record Mirror, March 14, 1981 | ||
|next = Record Mirror, | |next = Record Mirror, June 13, 1981 | ||
}} | }} | ||
'''Record Mirror, April 4, 1981 | '''Record Mirror, April 4, 1981 | ||
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{{Bibliography text}} | {{Bibliography text}} | ||
[[image:1981-04-04 Record Mirror clipping 02.jpg|160px|border|right]] | [[image:1981-04-04 Record Mirror clipping 02.jpg|160px|border|right]] | ||
In reply to Martin of Walsall concerning the Elvis Costello gig, I'd like to say that my mate and I went to a EC gig the following evening (March 5th Wolverhampton Civic Hall). At first we thought EC had either pissed off or got lost round spaghetti junction. As the time was 8.15 and we were still outside. So we had our own sing sing in the street in the pouring rain and arctic winds. No trouble broke out, we waited without any explanation or any kind of announcement, in fact no-one told us anything. At 8.30 they let us in and we had to listen to music before our grandmother's time. At 9.00 EC came on and burst into song, then he explained that they'd had some electricity problems. He sang oldies such as: " | In reply to Martin of Walsall concerning the Elvis Costello gig, I'd like to say that my mate and I went to a EC gig the following evening (March 5th Wolverhampton Civic Hall). At first we thought EC had either pissed off or got lost round spaghetti junction. As the time was 8.15 and we were still outside. So we had our own sing sing in the street in the pouring rain and arctic winds. No trouble broke out, we waited without any explanation or any kind of announcement, in fact no-one told us anything. At 8.30 they let us in and we had to listen to music before our grandmother's time. At 9.00 EC came on and burst into song, then he explained that they'd had some electricity problems. He sang oldies such as: "Oliver's Army," "Watching The Detectives," "I Can't Stand Up For Falling Down." He sang songs from ''Trust'' including "From A Whisper To A Scream." He even sang "One Day I'll Fly Away." He sang non stop 'til 10 then went off. He came back on with more songs and went on and off stage like a yo-yo. | ||
Yes, we probably had your share of EC encores, oldies, romance, mind blowing music, conversation between songs, plus the fact he played from 9.00 'til 10.40. Shall I continue? (snigger, snigger). So we had our money's worth, it was well worth the wait and the flu I caught. So Mr Elvis Costello I think you deserve a Blue Peter badge. It was great. | Yes, we probably had your share of EC encores, oldies, romance, mind blowing music, conversation between songs, plus the fact he played from 9.00 'til 10.40. Shall I continue? (snigger, snigger). So we had our money's worth, it was well worth the wait and the flu I caught. So Mr Elvis Costello I think you deserve a Blue Peter badge. It was great. | ||
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==External links== | ==External links== | ||
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Record_Mirror Wikipedia: Record Mirror] | *[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Record_Mirror Wikipedia: Record Mirror] | ||
*[https://www.flickr.com/photos/57779449@N02/albums/72157714441024352 Flickr: Michael Kane] | *[https://www.flickr.com/photos/57779449@N02/albums/72157714441024352 Flickr:] [[Michael Kane]] | ||
*[http://www.flickr.com/photos/littletriggers/14361446461/ Flickr: | *[http://www.flickr.com/photos/littletriggers/14361446461/ Flickr:][http://www.flickr.com/photos/littletriggers/14178140998 {{t}}][http://www.flickr.com/photos/littletriggers/14363258722/ {{t}}] [[Stephen McCathie]] | ||
*[https://worldradiohistory.com/Record_Mirror.htm worldradiohistory.com][https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Record-Mirror/80s/81/Record-Mirror-1981-04-04-OCR.pdf {{t}}] | |||
*[http://www.elviscostellofans.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=8809&p=7727714#p7727714 Elvis Costello Fan Forum] | *[http://www.elviscostellofans.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=8809&p=7727714#p7727714 Elvis Costello Fan Forum] | ||
Revision as of 20:59, 15 May 2021
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