Audio By Carbonatix
Last September, erudite Englishman, ex-punk, and eyewear enthusiast Elvis Costello was forced to postpone his globe-spanning Spectacular Spinning Songbook tour, including a South Florida show, “due to matters pertaining to the very serious illness of a close family member.”
Costello’s camp was secretive about the identity of the ill loved one. But it was soon revealed that the singer-songwriter’s dad, Ross MacManus, had been ailing. He died at the age of 84 last November 24. And now in honor of Elvis’s late pops, the Spectacular Spinning Songbook tour continues, finally landing at Hard Rock Live this Wednesday.
Starring Elvis, backing band the Imposters, and the Songbook Wheel, this road show is a musical extravaganza that sort of seems like a vaudevillian version of The Price Is Right. The hype men describe the tour as a “unique and colorful carnival-style stage show [that] invites select fans to join Costello onstage to spin the Songbook Wheel, featuring a collection of 40 banners including hits, rarities, and a few surprises. This interactive and entertaining experience ensures a new set at each performance.”
For his part, though, Costello would probably just say it’s a whirlingly awesome time dedicated to his dad. Oh, and it sometimes results in spontaneous marriage proposals. Really.
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