The Last Cadillac Walk

You've probably never heard of Willy DeVille. And that's a shame.

For a brief moment in time, he channeled the Drifters of Spanish Harlem, doo wop, the ebullient attitude of Born of Run, and some new wave/punk cool from Lower Manhattan into a heady mix, unique and classic sounding both at the same time.

"Cabretta," the first album, is a lost masterpiece and one of the most underrated records in all of rock and roll. He named his band Mink DeVille, because in his words, "what could be cooler than a fur-lined Cadillac?" One of the great romantics, DeVille wore his heart and his influences on his sleeve.

His subsequent efforts were hit and miss as demons chased him and self destructiveness robbed him of his substantial gifts.

Willy DeVille died earlier today in New York at the age of 58.

He never matched "Cabretta." Very few could.

R.I.P.