Rearranging Deck Chairs On The Titanic

While seeking cover versions of songs released on Stiff Records, I found some oddities. Keith Emerson (minus Lake and Palmer) covered "Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll"; Marilyn Manson has sung "Whole Wide World" in concert; and Andrew Eldritch often performs Larry Wallis' "Police Car" with his Sisters On Bongos. Stranger still is that the long list of artists who have covered Elvis Costello includes Toto and The Outlaws. (edit: and Status Quo and Exodus)

Here's another collection of songs composed by Messrs. Lowe, Costello, Goulden, and Dury (pictured here with a shady and shaggy Larry Wallis); as well as Ms. MacColl, Mr. MacGowan, Mr. Barson, Mr. Gregson, Mr. Lewie, and one Liam Sternberg.

Liam Sternberg curated The Akron Compilation for Stiff, and wrote songs for Jane Aire And The Belvederes and Rachel Sweet, among others. He produced Rachel Sweet's debut, and played guitar, bass and keyboards under the pseudonym Pietro Nardini. He also produced Kirsty MacColl's debut single "They Don't Know".

Pietro Sternberg (with white boy dreads)
and his Bone Fiction bandmate Zita Lotis.
In terms of questionable hairstyle choices,
this rivals the Phil Spector trial.

Sternberg later scored a #1 hit with "Walk Like An Egyptian". According to Wikipedia, Marti Jones sang on the "Egyptian" demo; Lene Lovich recorded an unreleased version; and Toni Basil turned it down (though she saw fit to record "Be Stiff"). Ultimately, the demo walked its way to Bangles' producer David Kahne, who saw it in a different light.

His ELPness, Keith Emerson (and his organ)

Thanks to Uncle Gil and Bristolboy at the Twilight Zone blog, who answered my request for the cover version of Liam Sternberg's "Yankee Wheels" performed by Amy Rigby (aka Mrs. Eric Goulden, who is aka Wreckless Eric).