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Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZMINK DeVILLE(b Willy DeVille, 25 August 1950, NYC) An early New York punk vocalist/guitarist, he formed a band mid-'70s and appeared on compilation Live From CBGBs '76, leading to authentic debut Mink DeVille '77 (aka Cabretta) creating a white R&B style on originals such as 'Venus Of Avenue D' and 'Mixed Up, Shook Up Girl'; 'Spanish Stroll' (influenced by Lou Reed) was a top 20 UK hit. Return To Magenta '78 was more of the same, while La Chat Bleu '80 was made in Paris, said by some to be his best to date (though Capitol didn't like it), including songs co-written with Doc Pomus as well as originals e.g. zydeco-style 'Mazurka'. Switched to Atlantic: Coup De Gráce '81 was produced by Jack Nitzsche; Where Angels Fear To Tread included 'Each Word's A Beat Of My Heart'. Sportin' Life '86 was recorded at Muscle Shoals, but was still unlikely to break him in the mainstream. Four LPs reached top 200 USA and cult status endured; a Capitol LP called Savoir Faire was probably recycled material. He contributed three songs to controversial Al Pacino movie Cruising '80. |