Willy DeVille remained one of those tragic figures of the musical business, a drunkard who never found his place, never was understood, often fell into the wrong hands and often threatened to get lost.
I met Willy DeVille once. He was playing as part of a New Orleans revue at the Galway Arts Festival. Dr John took the headline spot. Such a Night. I interviewed Willy and he told me he felt at home in Ireland, having taken a trip to the Gaelic speaking heartland of Galway the day before and spent his time in a pub listening to traditional Irish music. Thanks for reminding me. The man had style.
Yes, Willy DeVille was a southern gentleman! But he went down. After a drug withdrawal and many comeback experiments, he finally found his Cajun roots in New Orleans. Allen Toussaint and Dr. John helped him to find a new home and recording traditional music. It’s not so far from Zydeco melodies to Irish folk.
hotfox63 
Great artist. Saw him several times live.
LikeGefällt 1 Person
Willy DeVille played often here in Switzerland. I saw him last on his Crow-Jane-Alley-Tour 2005 in Zürich. He was a wonderful crazy bird…
LikeLike
A much over looked artist and personna, thanks for the blog post
LikeGefällt 1 Person
Willy DeVille remained one of those tragic figures of the musical business, a drunkard who never found his place, never was understood, often fell into the wrong hands and often threatened to get lost.
LikeLike
So sad when that happens…
LikeGefällt 1 Person
I met Willy DeVille once. He was playing as part of a New Orleans revue at the Galway Arts Festival. Dr John took the headline spot. Such a Night. I interviewed Willy and he told me he felt at home in Ireland, having taken a trip to the Gaelic speaking heartland of Galway the day before and spent his time in a pub listening to traditional Irish music. Thanks for reminding me. The man had style.
LikeGefällt 1 Person
Yes, Willy DeVille was a southern gentleman! But he went down. After a drug withdrawal and many comeback experiments, he finally found his Cajun roots in New Orleans. Allen Toussaint and Dr. John helped him to find a new home and recording traditional music. It’s not so far from Zydeco melodies to Irish folk.
LikeGefällt 1 Person
A magnificent singer who could wring the heart.
Features on The Jukebox in the ‚Moments Immortal Moments‘ post.
Regards Thom.
LikeGefällt 1 Person
He could wring the heart, but he had he’s own head.
LikeGefällt 1 Person