Leap In The Dark

WILLY DEVILLE

Welcome to a page of links and photos of Willy DeVille. Here you'll find links to reviews of various Willy CD and DVDs that I've written as well as links to both interviews I've conducted with him. The first one was done back in 2006 and the second one we just did in December of 2007. Both Interviews and some incidental writings I did on Willy were published as an article in Rolling Stone's German edition in Febuary of 2008 to coincide with the release of Willy's CD Pistola and mini tour of Europe in 2008. I'm going to list the links in chronological order - as I wrote them that is so things that were released in 2003 might not have been reviewed by me until 2006, and that's why - oh you get the idea right? Good.

Willy DeVille: Rest In Peace

If you've come to this page, you'll know by now that Willy has died. He passed away at 23:00 hrs on August 6th 2009. Back in May of this year Willy's wife Nina had approached me to write something about Willy for after he had gone. I've now published that article and you can read it here. We'll all miss him

LINKS

A Thank You To Willy DeVille

Petition To Induct Willy Into Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame

As many of you know by now Willy has been diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer, and the prognosis isn't good. While our thoughts and love are naturally going to be directed towards Willy and Nina in this especially difficult time it also seems appropriate for all of us who have appreciated the artistry of Willy through out the years to try and find some way of showing how much his music has meant to us by helping him obtain the recognition he has been denied up until now in his own country by having him inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame in Cleveland Ohio. While it would only be minor compensation for the years the music establishment in North America ignored his brilliance, it would at least ensure that his contributions will be remembered, and those who didn't have the chance to experience him during his life time will know who he was and what he meant to the world.

The Hall of Fame is not responsible for choosing who is inducted as members, rather it is in the hands of those who sit on the board of something called The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation. Each year they compile a list of candidates whom they consider worthy of inclusion and mail that list out to 500 international rock experts who then vote on who from that list will be included. You can read about the full process and how a person is deemed to be qualified for the Hall on the following page at the Hall's web site. Needless to say Willy meets every single one of their requirements and has been eligible for being included on the ballet since 2002.

I don't know if these people can be swayed by public opinion, but I can't help but think it would be worth a try to let our voices be heard in support of Willy being inducted into the Hall of Fame in recognition of his contributions to popular music. To that end I ask each of you to sign the petition that I've created at Petition Online and to let others know of its existence by writing about our efforts and posting a link to it on your web site. Nina knows of our efforts and said any input on getting Willy into the Hall of Fame in Ohio would be great. Whether or not we're successful in our attempt or not, think of this as one way you can let Willy and Nina know how much we appreciate what he has given us over the years.

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