Willy was one of my all-time favorites and someone who was completely underrated as both a singer and a songwriter. He originated in the NYC punk scene in the late 1970's, playing CBGB's in the band Mink DeVille. They were tremendous, but more Spanish Harlem street corner meets Doc Pomus than the Ramones, Blondie or Television.
The first time I saw them was 1980 at Lupo's in Providence, RI. and I was completely hooked. Willy came out in his usual skin tight suit pants, purple ruffled tuxedo shirt, his hair in a shiny black pompadour. The band looked like they were in the mob, dressed entirely in black with leather jackets, pork pie hats; everyone smoking cigarettes. I don't remember if they wore pinkie rings. By the end of the show, Willy was so loose the roadies had to carry him back onstage for the encore.
I saw him four or five more times after that in Boston and he was amazing each time. He also made a bunch of great albums. 'Cabretta', 'Return to Magenta', 'Le Chat Bleu', 'Backstreets of Desire' and 'Loup Garou' were my favorites. These recordings feel timeless and are filled with great melodies, incredible lyrics and soulful singing. Willy never got his due but made great music his entire career. He was one of the best.
1 comment:
OK - enough about the music and costumes -- tell us more about your art and photographs ... what's up with those?
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