Elvis Costello,1977.

Elvis Costello released his debut single, Less Than Zero, in March 1977, and his first album, My Aim Is True, in July. (For reference: Talking Heads: 77 came out in September; Nevermind the Bollocks in October.) He toured the UK, Europe, and parts of the US, stopping by Saturday Night Live to perform his single, only to play Radio Radio instead in a performance that immediately entered SNL and Costello lore. As I get older I've come to appreciate the many Elvii Costello, but his persona in 1977, young, loud, and snotty, is unfailingly appealing.

Photographed by Anton Corbijn in Amsterdam.