Show Notes
What a treat it was to catch up with award-winning author and former UK Home Secretary Alan Johnson to talk about his love of Elvis Costello’s music.
An EC fanatic since hearing (The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes, Alan tells me why he feels such an affinity with the man he credits with his personal lifetime achievement award.
We chat about some of Alan’s favourite Costello songs and the tape of his own compositions that he sent to Elvis in 1982. He still awaits a reply.
After releasing four critically-acclaimed volumes of his memoirs, Alan released his first novel in September 2021. Find out more on his website.
A former postman and trade unionist, Alan Johnson was a Labour MP for 20 years, serving in the cabinets of Tony Blair and Gordon Brown in roles including Home Secretary. A keen guitarist and songwriter, in his youth Alan performed in The Area and The In-Betweens.
More from Dangerous Amusements: the Elvis Costello playlist
On Elvis Costello's 70th birthday, we reach the finale of the 70@70 series.
Author Libby Cudmore joins me for the penultimate episode of the Elvis Costello 70@70 series.
For the fifth part of the Elvis Costello 70@70 series, it's my great pleasure to be joined by producer, engineer and Costello collaborator Steve Mandel.
It's a warm welcome back to the podcast to music journalist Paul Stokes for the fourth instalment of the Elvis Costello 70@70 series.
Music writer Allison Rapp is my guest for the third instalment of the Elvis Costello 70@70 series.