Willy DeVille is an American singer and songwriter. First with the band Mink DeVille (1975–1985) and later on his own, DeVille in his 30-year career has created songs that are wholly original yet rooted in traditional American musical styles. DeVille has worked with collaborators from across the spectrum of American music, including Jack Nitzsche, Doc Pomus, Dr. John, Mark Knopfler, Allen Toussaint, Eddie Bo, Los Camperos de Nati Cano, and David Hidalgo. Mink DeVille was a house band at CBGB, the historic New York nightclub where punk rock was born in in the 1970s. DeVille helped redefine the Brill Building sound, and after his move to New Orleans in 1988, helped spark the roots revival of classic New Orleans R&B. His explorations in Latin rhythms and sounds have helped define a new musical style sometimes called "Spanish-Americana." Critic Robert Palmer wrote about him in 1980, "Mr. DeVille is a magnetic performer, but his macho stage pre