Mink DeVille

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Mink DeVille was a rock band formed in 1974 by Willy DeVille in San Francisco. He met drummer Thomas R. “Manfred” Allen Jr. and bassist Rubén Sigüenza, and the group eventually became known for blending roots rock with punk-era energy, soul, blues, and even Latin influences. The band’s name was adopted in 1975 after a couple of earlier name changes, and Willy DeVille became the public face of Mink DeVille.

The early years centered around CBGB, the New York club famous for its punk scene. Mink DeVille were one of the original house bands there, though their sound leaned more toward R&B and soul than pure punk. They played in New York for about three years, often earning only small pay, but gaining a following for Willy DeVille’s expressive voice and the group’s diverse mix of styles.

Mink DeVille released six albums between 1977 and 1985. Their first album, Cabretta, produced by Jack Nitzsche, helped establish their sound: a punchy blend of rock, soul, and Latin flavors. The single Spanish Stroll became a chart hit in the UK and the Netherlands. For the second album, Return to Magenta, the band kept the core vibe but added more lavish arrangements.

In 1979 Willy DeVille moved to Paris for a while and returned with Le Chat Bleu (1980), an original, more orchestrated record that fused French flair with American roots music. Doc Pomus, the Hall of Fame songwriter, contributed songs, and Jean-Claude Petit arranged the strings. Capitol Records released Le Chat Bleu in Europe in 1980, and after its strong reception there, Capitol released it in the U.S. a year later.

After Le Chat Bleu, Mink DeVille released two more albums for Atlantic Records: Coup de Grâce (1981) and Where Angels Fear to Tread (1983). These records carried a Jersey Shore rock sound with a fuller rhythm section and horn contributions. They were more successful in Europe than in the United States.

The band’s final studio album, Sportin’ Life, came out in 1985 on Polydor. It featured new collaborations and more polished production, with some songs written with Doc Pomus. A European hit from the album was Italian Shoes. By 1986, Willy DeVille dropped the Mink DeVille name and released music under his own name, though his touring bands were sometimes still billed as The Mink DeVille Band.

Over the years, many musicians who played with Mink DeVille continued to work with Willy DeVille on and off. The group’s legacy lies in how its music mixed rock and roll with blues, soul, and continental textures, while capturing the street-smart storytelling that defined Willy DeVille’s voice. Doc Pomus once praised Mink DeVille for capturing a gritty urban truth, a resonance that many listeners still remember today.