The Coward Brothers The Coward Brothers (Elvis Costello & T-Bone Burnett)

The Coward Brothers are Elvis Costello and T-Bone Burnett

The Audible Original radio play, The True Story Of The Coward Brothers, is directed by
Christopher Guest, and stars Howard Coward, Henry Coward, Harry Shearer, Edward
Hibbert, Rhea Seehorn, Stephen Root, and Kathreen Khavari Available at Aubible on
Nov 21, 2024.
The exact relationship between Henry (T- Bone Burnett) and Howard Coward (Elvis
Costello) remains ambiguous. They often referred to themselves as "One and a Half
Brothers," which might hint at their height difference or imply they were not actually
siblings but were involved in an elaborate ruse.
Their musical partnership, known as The Coward Brothers, was initiated by Smiley
"Doc" Snipson, who discovered Henry Coward in 1956 and signed him for a UK tour.
The brothers' hit single, "My Baby Just Squeals (You Heel)," was followed by less
successful records and a controversial Cold War- themed song. To preserve their
fading fame, Snipson orchestrated their supposed death in a plane crash, but they
were actually in hiding on a Caribbean island, secretly recording music and sending it
back to Snipson.
When their funds ran out, they returned to Miami and made sensational claims about
writing famous songs, leading to a brief stint as songwriters for Bill Bogguss. They
later resumed recording, but their partnership eventually fractured, leading to years of
estrangement. Their music, from early rock and roll hits to later, more introspective
songs, is compiled in the album, The Coward Brothers. After years of silence, their
story was explored in a radio program, revealing the complexity of their relationship
and their enduring bond. Despite their tumultuous history, their music remains a
testament to their unyielding spirit.