Died On This Date (August 6. 2009) Willy DeVille / Mink DeVille

Willy DeVille (Born William Borsay)
August 25, 1950 – August 6, 2009

devilleWillie 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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Died On This Date (March 14, 1991) Doc Pomus / Songwriting Genius

Jerome “Doc” Pomus
June 27, 1925 – March 14, 1991

doc-pomus.jpgThere isn’t enough room here to list the world-class artists who have recorded or covered songs written by the great Doc Pomus. From Brook Benton to the New York Dolls; from Andy Williams to Elvis Costello; from Dolly Parton to the Misfits. Okay, one more, from Dusty Springfield to Johnny Thunders. Oh and did I mention “Viva Las Vegas?”  Pomus’ life was no picnic, however.  As a child, he developed polio, so he needed crutches.  And after an automobile accident later in life, those crutches were replaced by a wheelchair. Doc Pomus succumbed to lung cancer on March 14, 1991 at the age of 65.