The last time Elvis Costello brought his ”Spectacular Spinning Songbook” — aka the “Wheel Of Elvis” — to Philly was April 24, 1987 to the UPenn Class of 1923 Skating Rink — we know because we were there (thanks for the tix, Dad!). The wheel is what it sounds like: A giant, carnival-style stage prop with pie wedges dedicated to classic Elvis songs: “Alison,” “Watching The Detectives,” “Radio Radio,” and so on. The wheel is spun, Elvis plays the song the wheel lands on.

It was a great show: Nick Lowe opened; for some reason, Elvis saw fit to make the show’s only non-acoustic number a loud-as-hell drum machine version of “The Message” by Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five; and he would gallantly stick his foot under the wheel to make it stop on whatever song the pretty girl he pulled from the audience wanted to hear. Even in ’87, Costello had a monumental catalog of songs in his ouvre; to think what that wheel might look like today is kind of mind-boggling. But boggle he shall, as Costello just announced that he’s bringing back the wheel to the Tower Theater on Thursday, May 19. Tickets go on sale this Saturday morning. If you’ve ever loved Declan McManus, you’re going to want to be there.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, February 9th, 2011 at 12:17 pm.