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Year In Review Recordings
Radio/TV Appearances Gigography In Print Memorabilia
1-26-77 My Aim Is True completed at Pathway Studios 3-25-77 Less Than Zero/Radio Sweetheart (Stiff BUY 11) released. 5-21-77 Alison/Welcome To The Working Week (Stiff BUY 14) released. Sex Pistol's 'God Save The Queen' released the same day. 5-27-77 Elvis Costello appears as opening act for The Rumour at The Nashville Room in London 5-27-77 Elvis' first major interview, printed in NME 6-25-77 6-25-77 Elvis Costello and the Attractions first recording session, on BBC John Peel Show. Broadcast XXXX. Songs : Less Than Zero, Blaim It On Cain, (The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes, Mystery Dance 7-7-77 "Red Shoes/Mystery Dance" Stiff BUY 15 released 7-9-77 Elvis quits his day job at Elizabeth Arden 7-14-77 Elvis Costello and the Attractions first live performance - At The Garden in Penzance, supporting Wayne County 7-23-77 'My Aim Is True (Stiff ZEEZ 3) released 7-26-77 Elvis Costello television debut, performing Alison on Grenada TV 7-26-77 Elvis 'performs' outside the Hilton Hotel in London where there is a CBS/Columbia Records convention. He is arrested by Metropolitan Police and fined 10 pounds. 10-3-77 Stiff Live Tour begins, featuring EC & A's, Ian Dury & the Blockheads, Larry Wallis, Nick Lowe, Dave Edmunds, and Wreckless Eric. 10-14-77 Watching The Detectives/Blaim It On Cain/Mystery Dance (Stiff BUY 20) released 10-25-77 Alison/Miracle Man (live) (Columbia 6-10641) released. Alison with added strings, Miracle Man recorded at Nashville Rooms Jake Riviera splits with Stiff Records co-founder Dave Robinson. Elvis moves to Radar Records, formed by Andrew Lauder and Martin Davis. 11-15-77 EC & A's first US tour begins. 12-17-77 EC & A's replace the Sex Pistols as musical guest on Saturday Night Live, playing Detectives, a bit of Less than Zero, and a surprise version of Radio Radio.
Elvis Costello and the Attractions - 1977
Less Than Zero - EC (3:15) Radio Sweetheart (single mix) - EC (2:33) [770325; 7"; Stiff BUY 11 (UK, originally in laminated ps)] Produced by Nick Lowe. "LTZ" has a slightly different mix to the LP version. Etched in the runoff for side A is "Elvis is King on This Side Too" & "A Porky Prime Cut". Side B contains "Elvis is King". |
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A Bunch Of Stiff Records - various artists Less Than Zero (organ mix) - EC + The Shamrocks (aka Clover) (3:04) [7704__; LP; Stiff SEEZ 2 (UK)] [790501; LP; Stiff/Victor VIP-6651 (Japan)] Although the actual title of this record is as above, it was more commonly known as _A Bunch Of Stiffs_. This track is a slightly different mix than either the version on _My Aim Is True_ or the single (BUY 11). Like the single it doesn't have the theremin-like organ in the chorus which is on the _MAIT_ version, but where the single has those fuzz-toned/distorted chords in the chorus, this version has them softened & buried in the mix. Also, you can hardly hear the guitar fill during the fade-out. |
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Alison - EC (2:00) Welcome To The Working Week - EC (1:20) [770527; 7"; Stiff BUY 14 (UK, ps)] Produced by Nick Lowe. Etched in the runoff for side A is "Elvis Joins the FBI" & "Just Good Friends Rock". Side B contains "Elvis is King". Record Collector mentions that a few copies had the A-side pressed on white vinyl while the B-side was still black! |
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Red Shoes |
(The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes - EC (2:30) Mystery Dance - EC (1:35) [770707; 7"; Stiff BUY 15 (UK, no ps)] Etched in the runoff for side A is "Help us Hype Elvis" & "A Porky Prime Cut". Side B contains "Larger Than Life More Fun Than People - Elvis". |
(The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes - EC (2:30) Dream Tobacco - Max Wall [7707__; 7"; Stiff BUY 15 (UK)] This was a mispressing of the normal 'Red Shoes' single (-A05). |
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A06 The first few UK copies came with a poster and a form asking the buyer to send in the address of a friend, who would then receive a free copy. The form read: "HELP US HYPE ELVIS In these John Denver days, people in Framptonland are loathe to shell out on new artists. As you've bought this record we assume that you groove to the Elvis GB sound. As you know there are only two Elvis. On is fat and famous, one is small and languishes in obscurity. Stiff Records, ever keen to meet the record buying public demands, have hatched a plot that allows you to become a potent factor in El's future. Here's how are See-Elvis-Go-Gold-Stiff-Go-Broke scheme works. You pay the postage. We send the album. And all you have to do is write no more than 25 words why you like the English Elvis and send this sheet (together with postage stamps to the value of 23p) to: Stiff Records, 32 Alexander Street, London W2. We will then send a free album to the person of your choice who you think can do the most for Elvis. This offer is limited to the UK only. We are only giving away 1000 albums (Jesus - only 1000!) so write off today and grab a small stake in shaping El's destiny. His meal ticket, your El Dorado. This offer does not apply to Island Records executives, groupies, liggers, Elvis Costello and employees of Stiff." Reached #14 in UK charts, & #32 in the US. |
Jem Imports Sampler No.4 - various artists I'm Not Angry - EC [7708__; LP; JEM PROMO-4 (US promo)] This is the very first US release of an EC track. |
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Alison (US version) - EC Alison (US version mono) - EC [77____; 7"; Columbia 3-10641 (US promo)] Note that the catalog number is the same as for A09. The US version of "Alison" has added synth-strings, chorus & echo, and doesn't sit too well with the message of the song. |
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Alison (US version) - EC (3:07) Miracle Man (live) - EC+A (3:55) [77____; 7"; Columbia 3-10641 (US)] [77____; 7"; Columbia/CBS (Canada)] Note that the catalog number is the same as for A08. "MM" recorded live at The Nashville Rooms, London, 7-Aug-77. |
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Hits Greatest Stiffs - various artists Radio Sweetheart (single mix) - EC (2:32) [770928; LP; Stiff FIST1] [77____; LP; Stiff/Barclay 940565 (France, gatefold sleeve with adverts for other artists) |[77____; LP; Stiff SEEZ-5 (Australia, made by EMI Australia)] [79____; LP; Stiff/Victor VIP-6660 (Japan)] |
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Watching The Detectives - EC (3:43) Blame It On Cain (live) - EC+A (2:52) Mystery Dance (live) - EC+A (2:01) [771014; 7"; Stiff BUY 20 (UK, grey stiff label, ps)] [7710__; 7"; Columbia 3-10696 (US, a promo version also exists with a 'DJ stamp')] [77____; 7"; Stiff COU/B/BUY 20 (Belgium, yellow vinyl, ps)] [780123; 7"; Stiff Buy 11633 (Australian promo)] "BIOC" & "MD" recorded live at The Nashville Rooms, London, 7-Aug-77, & Produced by Nick Lowe. |Etched in the runoff for side A is "I Think You Know What I Mean", |while side B contains "Little Triggers But Big Tears". This single appeared in at least 3 different sleeves: a colour picture |cover, a plain Stiff sleeve and the rarer 'telephone directory' cover, |which consisted of the entries for the name 'Stiff' out of the London |phone book with the Stiff Records number highlighted. Some copies have the "Watching The Detectives (edit)" version on the A-side. These can only be identified by the duration of the track and the runoff matrix numbers: A-side: "BUY 20 A-DJ-1U" (stamped) + "tone controlled" (etched). B-side: "BUY 20 B-1U" (stamped) + "LITTLE TRIGGERS BUT BIG TEARS" (etched) Record Collector (#49) reports that some promo copies of this single apparently had different takes of the live songs on the B-side. Reached #15 in UK charts. |
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Watching The Detectives - EC Watching The Detectives (edit) - EC [7710__; 7"; Stiff BUY 20DJ (UK promo)] Etched in the runoff for side A is "tone controlled". |
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Watching the Detectives - EC (3:42) Alison (US version) - EC (3:07) [77____; 7"; Columbia 3-10705 (US)] |
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Mystery Dance - EC (2:00) Pay It Back - EC (2:00) [77____; 7"; Stiff cou-b/640-131 (Belgium, ps)] A limited number were on orange/yellow vinyl. The times above are as stated on the record - don't believe it! |
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My Aim Is True |
4 Track Sampler From _My Aim Is True_ - EC Watching The Detectives (edit) Alison (The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes Less Than Zero |
Watching The Detectives (mono) - EC (3:42) Watching The Detectives - EC (3:42) [??____; 7"; (white label promo)] |
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Watching The Detectives - EC + 2 tracks [??____; 12"; Columbia (US promo)] |
NOT LISTED YET
The first live appearances by 'Elvis Costello' were solo supporting performances for The Rumour.
In July, Elvis Costello and the Attractions hit the stage for the first time, followed by almost constant touring for the remainder of the year, including the famous 'Stiff Live Stiff' tour, and the first tour of America.
May
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July
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2 w./Attractions Liverpool, Eric's 4 w./Attractions Coventry, Mr. George's 5 w./Attractions Middlesborough, Rock Garden 6 w./Attractions Redditch, Tracey's 7 w./Attractions London, Nashville Rooms 11 w./Attractions "Bilzen Festival", Belgium 13 w./Attractions London, Hope And Anchor 14 w./Attractions London, Nashville 15 w./Attractions Swindon, The Affair 20 w./Attractions "Popfestival", Marseille 21 w./Attractions London, Nashville 22 w./Attractions Plymouth, Castaways 26 w./Attractions Scarborough, Penthouse 27 w./Attractions Dudley, Jb's Club 28 w./Attractions London, Nashville 31 w./Attractions Edinburgh, Tiffany's |
September
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3 w./Attractions High Wycombe, Town Hall 6 w./Attractions Bristol, Exhibition Centre 7 w./Attractions Bath, University 8 w./Attractions Loughborough, University 9 w./Attractions Middlesborough, Town Hall 11 w./Attractions Liverpool, Empire Theatre 13 w./Attractions Glasgow, Apollo Theatre 14 w./Attractions Sheffield, Polytechnic 15 w./Attractions Leeds, Universitiy 16 w./Attractions Croydon, Fairfield Hall 18 w./Attractions Norwich, University Of East Anglia 19 w./Attractions Brighton, Top Rank Suite 21 w./Attractions Salford University 22 w./Attractions Leicester, Universtiy 24 w./Attractions Rochdale, Champness Hall 25 w./Attractions Birmingham, Town Hall 26 w./Attractions Cardiff, Top Rank Suite 27 w./Attractions Wolverhampton, Civic Hall 28 w./Attractions London, Lyceum Ballroom 31 w./Attractions Guildford, Civic Hall |
2 w./Attractions Aylesbury, Frairs Of The Vale Hall 3 w./Attractions Colchester, Essex Universtiy 4 w./Attractions Newcastle, Polytechnic 5 w./Attractions Lancaster, University 15 w./Attractions San Francisco(CA), Old Waldorf Theatre(Early Show) 15 w./Attractions San Francisco(CA), Old Waldorf Theatre(Late Show) 16 w./Attractions San Francisco(CA), Old Waldorf Theatre(Early Show) 16 w./Attractions San Francisco(CA), Old Waldorf Theatre(Late Show) 18 w./Attractions Los Angeles(CA), Whiskey Club 19 w./Attractions Los Angeles(CA), Whiskey Club 23 w./Attractions New Orleans(LA), Jed's 26 w./Attractions Atlanta(GA), Capri Theatre 27 w./Attractions St. Louis(MO), American Theatre 29 w./Attractions Madison(WI), Bunky's 30 w./Attractions Chicago(IL), Beginnings |
1 w./Attractions Milwaukee(WI), Electric Ballroom 3 w./Attractions Chicago(IL), Riviera Theatre 5 w./Attractions Cleveland(OH), Agora Ballroom 6 w./Attractions Utica(NY), Four Ackers Club 7 w./Attractions Philadelphia(PA), Hot Club(Early Show) 7 w./Attractions Philadelphia(PA), Hot Club(Late Show) 9 w./Attractions Boston(MA), Paradise Theatre(Early Show) 9 w./Attractions Boston(MA), Paradise Theatre(Late Show) 10 w./Attractions Boston(MA), Paradise Theatre(Early Show) 10 w./Attractions Boston(MA), Paradise Theatre(Late Show) 11 w./Attractions New Haven(CT), Oxford Ale House 13 w./Attractions New York City(NY), Bottomline Club(Early Show) 13 w./Attractions New York City(NY), Bottomline Club(Late Show) 14 w./Attractions New York City(NY), Bottomline Club(Early Show) 14 w./Attractions New York City(NY), Bottomline Club(Late Show) 15 w./Attractions New York City(NY), Ukranian National Home 16 w./Attractions Ashbury Park(NJ), Stone Pony Club(Early Show) 16 w./Attractions Ashbury Park(NJ), Stone Pony Club(Late Show) 22 w./Attractions London, Nashville 23 w./Attractions London, Nashville 24 w./Attractions London, Nashville |
Know EC Articles from 1977 (Dates Listed Year-Month-Day)
1977-06-01, Melody Maker [M] - A Day In The Life Of Stiff/News Re: Arrest
1977-06-25, Melody Maker [M] - Interview
1977-08-06, Sounds [M] - Review
1977-08-20, Sounds [M] - w/The Other Elvis
1977-08-27, New Musical Express [M] - Interview
1977-09-01, OOR [M] - Interview
1977-09-03, Melody Maker [M]
1977-10-05, Aquarian [M] - Nashville Rooms Review
1977-10-05, OOR (77#20) [MC]
1977-10-22, Time Out [M] - StiffsLive
1977-10-29, New Musical Express [M] - p9 We Here At NME Say Elvis Is Declan & Ross Is Day, p22 Pub Rock (Flip City) , p28 Watching The Detectives review
1977-11-01, Trouser Press [M] - Article - Paul Rambali
1977-11-02, Rolling Stone [M] - "The Elvis Costello That No One Knows"
1977-12-01, Gig [M] - "My Aim Is True" review Ken Tucker
1977-12-01, Rolling Stone [M] - "My Aim Is True" LP Review - Greil Marcus
1977-12-01, Trouser Press (#24) [MCP] - Interview - Dave Shulps
1977-12-14, Aquarian [M] - Article Jay Saporita
1977-12-29, Rolling Stone [M] - "My Aim Is True" LP Review - Uncredited
1977-12-31, Melody Maker [M] - News/Concert Review
