Formed in San Francisco in the mid-1970s this band was put together by the lead singer Willy DeVille. They played gigs using the names Lazy Eights and Bill DeSade & the Marquis but after a while they decided on the name Mink DeVille.
They relocated to New York where they hired the guitarist Louie X Erlanger and became a house band at the CBGB club, working with groups such as Blondie and The Ramones, and became one of the pioneers of the punk rock movement in the United States. Not taking away from their punk rock involvement, their music was heavily littered with the sound of country music, Latin rhythm, R&B and good old soul.
Their debut recording, Cabretta, which was produced by the ex-Phil Spector arranger Jack Nitzsche, was given the recognition of being “one of the best albums of the year” by Rolling Stone magazine. Their music became known for their own style of romanticism and they saw success with their hits “Spanish Stroll” and “Cadillac Walk” in the latter half of the 1970.
The group released seven albums between 1976 and 1983 and their songs have featured in the films, You Me and Dupree, Mad Dog and Gloryand The Pope of Greenwich Village along with several television shows.
Members
Willy DeVille (Vocals)
Ruben Siguenza (Bass)
Tom “Manfred” Allen (Drums)
Louie X Erlanger (guitar)
Teenage Steve Douglas(saxophone)
Jerry Scheff (bass)
Ron Tutt (drums)
Mink DeVille recordings
Spanish Stroll (Willy DeVille)
Gunslinger (Willy DeVille)
Sources:
- http://www.willydevillemusic.com/biography.php
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Willy_DeVille
- http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0212151/
- http://www.allmusic.com/artist/mink-deville-mn0000497760/biography
- https://www.discogs.com/artist/263831-Mink-DeVille