another gone way too early

Founder of punk's Mink DeVille dies at 58

NEW YORK – Willy DeVille, a singer who was founder and principal songwriter of the punk group Mink DeVille, has died in New York City. He was 58.

Publicist Carol Kaye says he died of pancreatic cancer. He died Thursday night at Cabrini Hospital.

She says the rock world has lost "another one of its influential pioneers."

Mink DeVille appeared in the 1970s at the legendary CBGB club in Greenwich Village. It was billed as one of the most original groups on the New York punk scene.

Its 1977 album "Cabretta" featured the song "Spanish Stroll." It was a Top 20 hit in the United Kingdom.

Willy DeVille was known for his blend of R&B, blues, Dixieland and French Cajun ballads.

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My Review of his first two albums here.