He is a pianist who was working in Vermont in the mid-1970s and went to New York after being invited by Larry Rosenbloom. Through him he met the singer Eve Moon who performed solo and also provided backing vocals for Willy DeVille.
After Eve had introduced him to Willy DeVille he became a member of Mink DeVille in 1977. He appeared with the group at the CBGB club in New York and performed on their 1977 album Mink DeVille aka Cabretta, He toured with the group to promote the album which received a Critics Choice Award from Rolling Stone Magazine.
In 1978 the group released their second album Return to Magenta, which had performances by guest artists that include the saxophonist Steve Douglas and the keyboardist/singer Dr. John. Although he performed on that album he had become disillusioned with it and erased quite a large portion of his piano parts. After this the original members of the band were dismissed and after that Willy DeVille assembled various other musicians.
After leaving the group he went on to work in Kansas City for the IRS and later went to Pennsylvania to work as a construction consultant.
Mink DeVille recordings
Spanish Stroll (Willy DeVille)
Capitol CLX 103 (SF 93746 45) (UK 45)
Gunslinger (Willy DeVille)
Capitol CLX 103 (SF 93750 45)
Sources:
- https://www.tiffanyshade.com/mink.html
- https://punkmusiccatalogue.wordpress.com/mink-deville/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mink_DeVille
- https://www.musicvf.com/Mink+DeVille.alb
- https://fr.rateyourmusic.com/artist/mink_deville
- https://music.metason.net/artistinfo?name=Bobby%20Leonards