"Founder of punk's Mink DeVille dies at 58

NEW YORK – Willy DeVille, who founded the punk group Mink DeVille and was known for his blend of R&B, blues, Dixieland and traditional French Cajun ballads, has died, his publicist said Friday. He was 58.

The Oscar-nominated songwriter died at New York's Cabrini Hospital on Thursday of pancreatic cancer, said Carol Kaye at Kayos Productions. (Complete article is here.)"

I loved Mink DeVille! Well, his music, anyway. He had a lot of problems with heroin addiction over the years and a long time ago, he stole from one of my close friends back in NYC (he was staying in her apartment & he needed money -- to do what? Why, score some smack, of course!). But still. Well, alack & alas.

I loved so many of his songs, but this was my all time favorite:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3SVkzsm7nGs