English Beat's Dave Wakeling Recalls Greenpeace Row With Elvis Costello

Elvis Costello may have mellowed with age, but a humorous story about the one-time angry young man has emerged thanks to a former musical acquaintance. The English Beat's Dave Wakeling says that he and Costello were casual friends for a number of years even though Costello C. gave him hell over his involvement in Greenpeace.

As Wakeling explained to Denver Westword, he was working with Greenpeace in the '90s while the organization was spreading awareness via an information table during Costello's tour. After learning of Wakeling's connection to the 'Alison' singer, the workers asked to be introduced and awkwardness ensued.

"Straight after the show, me and about 18 other Greenpeacers, half of them playing hacky-sack, went back stage to meet Mr. McManus," Wakeling said. Costello wasn't pleased, and said he could "bang" Wakeling's and fellow advocate/Specials member Jerry Dammers' heads.

"He said, 'All this Greenpeace stuff, and this anti-Apartheid stuff, that's all well and good, but you know your place is on the stage, and you know that,' Wakeling recalled. "All the people were laughing at me because 'Elvis Costello told Dave, ha ha.'"

In about two weeks, Wakeling was back onstage and had a hit with General Public's cover of 'I'll Take You There,' which he says was probably all Costello's doing. The English Beat are currently touring the US through June.

General Public's 'I'll Take You There'

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