Founder of punk's Mink DeVille dies at 58

NEW YORK – Willy DeVille, who founded the punk group Mink DeVille and was known for his blend of R&B, blues, Dixieland and traditional French Cajun ballads, has died, his publicist said Friday. He was 58.

The Oscar-nominated songwriter died at New York's Cabrini Hospital on Thursday of pancreatic cancer, said Carol Kaye at Kayos Productions.

"The rock world has lost another one of its influential pioneers," Kaye said.

Mink DeVille, for which DeVille was the principal songwriter, was billed as one of the most original groups on the New York punk scene after an appearance at the legendary CBGB club in Greenwich Village in the 1970s.

In 1977, the band recorded "Cabretta," a rock and roll/rhythm and blues album with renowned producer Jack Nitzsche. Its featured song, "Spanish Stroll," was a Top 20 hit in Britain. It was followed by the album "Return to Magenta."

Better known in Europe than in the United States, DeVille went solo in 1980 with "Le Chat Bleu." Recorded in Paris and influenced by his admiration for siren Edith Piaf, the album featured "This Must Be the Night" and "Just to Walk That Little Girl Home."

His "Storybook Love," featured in the 1987 movie "The Princess Bride," was nominated for an Academy Award.

"Throughout his career, his musical gumbo was always layered with his deliciously gravelly soul-drenched vocals," Kaye said.

DeVille also spent time in New Orleans and recorded his "Victory Mixture" album with Dr. John, Eddie Bo, Allen Toussaint and others.

His other albums include the soulful "Coupe de Grace" and "Where Angels Fear to Tread." In 1985, "Sportin' Life" featured the European hit song "Italian Shoes."

He was born in Stamford, Conn., and survivors include his wife, Nina, and a son, Sean Borsey.

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On the Net:

Willy DeVille: http://www.willydevillemusic.com

Never heard any of Mr. DeVille's music, but I remember seeing his name frequently in Creem magazine back in the seventies. Always hurts to lose a musician. Very sad.

Another member of the 70s CBGB scene, gone. And with him, a bit more of my youth.

I'll have to cue up "Spanish Stroll" today.

Saw his cover of Zevon's "Carmelita" on YouTube yesterday. "Storybook Love" is a long-time favorite. I remember seeing Mink DeVille on SNL back when they put on non-mainstream acts.

Alan

I liked his music and had three of his recordings. But more importantly to me, another musician in their fifties has kicked the bucket. It's scaring the bejeezuz outta me. I'm not ready to go, I still have some CDs in the pile that I haven't listened to ! Why didn't I take the Keith Richards path to longevity?!!

WOW, I didn't know he was sick, Damm, this is sad news. I agree with Razoo Kelly, this is becoming to frequent.

Rick A.

Another one of those artists I've read about in magazines but actually have never heard. He didn't get much play even on LI's WLIR.

I had heard of him solo and with Mink Deville, but (thanks to crappy commercial radio) never had the chance to hear his music.

Another pioneer lost to us way too soon.

Although he first gained famed at CBGBs, he wasn't a punk/new wave artist. He tried, but in my opinion was really a roots rocker. The simplest comparisons would be to Robert Gordon and Dave Edmunds, in that they initially were caught up in the new-wave trend but had closer ties to the prior pub-rock scene.

My memories of WLIR is that they quickly moved their focus from DIY punk/new wave to New Romantic / Dance-Pop. My memory is probably faulty of course, but it was the only station that I listened to for several years, and it seemed that every band was English. Except for Blotto.

My favorite album of his is Le Chat Bleu by his band Mink DeVille, which has many cajun influences. Return To Magenta is another album I like by his band. I don't own any of his solo work, by I understand it was sort of a late '50s Mississippi / New Orleans / Memphis stew. His appearance certainly evoked that early R&B/Rock blend. I read somewhere that he perfected the Little Richard look and Prince made it famous.