Died On This Date (November 25, 2011) Ross MacManus / English Musician & Singer; Father of Elvis Costello
Ronald “Ross” MacManus
October 20, 1927 – November 25, 2011
Ross MacManus was an English musician and singer who made his mark performing with the Joe Loss Orchestra beginning in 1955. He had several children, including pop music icon, Elvis Costello. For a decade beginning in 1973, MacManus could be heard on British television singing the jingle he penned for R. White’s Lemonade. A young Costello is featured playing drums and singing back-up on the track. MacManus also sang and penned several songs for the British film, Secrets of a Superstud (1975). In 1997, he released the album Elvis’ Dad Sings Elvis, but in this case the Elvis he honored was Elvis Presley. Of his son’s albums, MacManus played on Out Of Our Idiot and Mighty Like A Rose. Ross MacManus passed away following a long illness on November 25, 2011. He was 84.
Thanks to Harold Lepidus for the assist.
What You Should Own



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