Willy DeVille (Born William Borsay)
August 25, 1950 – August 6, 2009
Willie DeVille was a much respected American singer, songwriter and musician who came to prominence fronting his own band, Mink DeVille, the one-time house band for legendary NYC club, CBGB’s. Although it’s difficult to label DeVille’s music, he had no problem fitting with the punk and new wave artists of the era with his musical stew of R&B, rock, cabaret, roots, blues, New Orleans, and country. Mink DeVille as a band was over by the mid ’80s, but DeVille continued to have a successful career (at least at the cultish level) well into the 2000s. Throughout his career, he worked with the likes of Brenda Lee, Dr. John, Mark Knopfler and Doc Pomus to name a few. It was discovered that DeVille had pancreatic cancer in June of 2009 while being treated for Hepatitis C. He died of the cancer at the age of 58.
Thanks to Jeff Ballenberg for the assist.
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