On August 6, 2009 we lost one of the great voices in American music.
At the age of 59, Willy DeVille has passed away due to pancreatic cancer.
After being one of the original house bands at CBGB’s, Mink DeVille released their first CD in 1977 (Cabretta). There really wasn’t anything else like it on the market. And when I first heard the lead single, “Mixed Up Shook Up Girl” – I was hooked!!
I can’t recall seeing the band till 1978. The 2nd CD (Return To Magenta) was out, and the track “Just Your Friends” was rapidly becoming the most played song in my room. Seeing the band live was a true experience. The entire band strolled on to the stage (more often than not – to the tune of “Harlem Nocturne”), all dressed like the Sharks from ‘West Side Story’ on their way to the local dance. And when they began to play … everyone in the room paid attention.
And though 1980’s “Le Chat Blue” was a pretty solid effort … it was 1981’s “Coup De Grace” that rock my world to its very foundation. To this day … this CD still rates as one of my all time favorites. Every track is amazing … every track is romantic … and every track is played and sung like there is no tomorrow. Love me now!! And … please … love me like you did before.
The great music kept coming … “Where Angels Fear To Tread” (1983) and “Sporting Life” (1985). Then, in 1987 Willy teamed up with Mark Knopfler (The Dire Straights) to record “Miracle” – the CD that brought us “Storybook Love” – and brought Willy an Oscar nomination for “Best Song” when Rob Reiner used the track in his movie, “The Princess Bride.”
More great CDs, followed – my favorite being 1995’s “Loup Garou.” Once again, another CD without a wasted track.
And I kept seeing the man live. Full band, solo, trio … it just didn’t matter – he always gave us one hell of a show.
Doc Pomus, said this about Willy; "DeVille knows the truth of a city street and the courage in a ghetto love song. And the harsh reality in his voice and phrasing is yesterday, today, and tomorrow—timeless in the same way that loneliness, no money, and troubles find each other and never quit for a minute."
Loneliness. Willy wrote and sang about it with his heart on his sleeve. And so many of those tracks got me through more than a few nights of heartbreak.
Yours is voice that will be sorely missed, my friend.
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