Elvis Costello, singer songwriter and record producer, performed in Widnes Four whilst in his early band Rusty, between October 1972 and February 1973. They performed once here when it was The Grosvenor Hotel, twice at The Crow’s Nest and once at Riverside College ‘Centre Stage’ on Kingsway.

Rusty saw Elvis Costello or Declan McManus as he was, on vocals, guitar from 1972-1973 with fellow band members Allan Mayes, Alan Brown and Dave Jago.

In 2022 ‘The Resurrection of Rust’ was released, their first recording and 50 years after Costello had left the band to embark on his successful solo career.

An extract from his book charting his career:

Unfaithful Music & Disappearing Ink

“The few bored-looking girls, nursing Babycham, sat puzzled through a few of our more esoteric songs and then ventured out of their corner to make a sarcastic-sounding request, 

“Do you know any Slade?”  

None of our songs bore any resemblance to “Cum On Feel the Noize,” so we gave up on Widnes, or maybe Widnes gave up on us.’

It is likely the bands appearances were due to the strong folk music scene Widnes that also brought Hawkwind and Paul Simon of course!

The folk club operated out of the upstairs room at The Grosvenor Hotel amongst other locations including the Queens Hall.

The 1970’s Widnes MP Gordon Oakes’ son, Howard, who was the Student Union Business manager at Widnes Technical College organised The Queens Hall Hawkwind gig, alongside fellow folk club member Peter Cox.

Motorhead lead singer and bassist Lemmy was in Hawkwind at the time and also graced the Queens Hall Widnes.