There are two ways of looking at a blank page if you're a writer; either as an opportunity or as an indication of how bereft you are of ideas. Sometimes you can stare at the blankness, and even though you know what you want to write, the challenge its empty visage presents renders you speechless. That first word you put down on the page will commit you to the attempt of beginning something new, and sometimes finding the courage to begin, to overcome your uncertainties, is too much and you simply walk away, either putting the pen down without writing a word or closing the word processor with nothing to save.
It was in early 2009 that I first suggested the idea of writing a biography of Willy DeVille to his wife Nina. Willy had just been diagnosed with Hepatitis C and would be spending the next while undergoing a series of treatments to help his body recover. As he had been forced to cancel all his recording and touring obligations I had thought that he and I could work on it together over the winter. He could record thoughts on tape and I could start writing them out. However before anything could come of it I received an offer to work on another project, which was to begin almost immediately and ended up taking up all my time until nearly June 2009.
I've written elsewhere about the events of this past spring, of Nina writing me in May of 2009 to let me know Willy had been diagnosed with stage four pancreatic cancer, which is as close to a death sentence that you can be given without a court order from a judge in Texas. So when I was finally able to bring up the subject of Willy recording a few notes about his life for me to use it was already June and he wasn't even well enough to do that. The drugs he was taking for the pain, and the cancer itself, were not only sapping his strength, but stealing his brain.
However, Nina gave me the go-ahead to work on a biography, saying that Willy had liked my writing and really, really liked me and it would be an honour if I could put it together. That was a bit overwhelming, believe me; I go asking permission to write Willy's biography and not only does Nina say yes but makes it sound like I'm doing them a favour. I knew Willy had been pleased with how our interviews had turned out, had liked the reviews I had written of a couple of his CDs and DVDs, and the liner notes I had written for another DVD, but this was a little more than that. However, after I got over the initial burst of "Wow", the sense of responsibility set in. Nina was entrusting me to preserve her husband's legacy.
Article comments
1 - Carol Peskofsky
How exciting for you Richard.Sorry to say I hardly ever read but I really enjoy anything you have written so far. You get to the point and it is clear. Good luck Richard should we start a fund to help publish this book when it's finished.
2 - Helen Bortolussi
This is great news. Love your style of writing. Word about Willy's upcoming biography is already spreading among fans. This is what they're all waiting for, believe me.
3 - Rick
Richard, I've followed all your writings about Willy. I look forward to a full bio! There are many phases of Willy's life I'd like to know more about.
4 - BJ Drwenski
Richard,I love your style of writing.A book about Willy is long overdue and I suspect you will do a fine job.Willy was a special dude alright and has the nicest committed fans in the universe. I swear Willy and his musuc pulled me out of a deep depression and helped me see the sunshine again.I was 58 y/o when I discovered him and joined my 1st and only fanclub..that is how much he affected me.Can't wait to read it.
BJ Drwenski,Great Falls,Montana
5 - marion
What wonderful news, a book about Willy!
Fans over here in Europe are delighted about it. Maybe you can lay your hand on pictures showing Willy in his childhood?
Would be great!!!
6 - Wolfgang
With Willy even writing down "then he said this and then he did that" could never go wrong because he was always original, not faking anything, had a great sense of humour and sensitivity, just watch this Willy DeVille interview!
7 - A Geek Girl
This has to be difficult, not so much the writing, I don't think you'll have any problem, your writing is lovely. But the loss. It's a bitter sweet endeavor you're undertaking. I'm looking forward to reading his life through your words.
8 - SpanishStroll
Richard, I will be one of the first to buy your book. Since about 1978 I've been intrigued as to why Willy didn't find more success in the U.S. He had more soul and a larger musical vocabulary than Springsteen. He alluded to it a few times in interviews (once he remarked something to the effect that his nose had been broken many times because he wasn't afraid of being an asshole) that he rubbed many people the wrong way, especially in the period 1980-85 when he was deep in his heroin addiction. I think this really hurt his career -- that and the fact that many couldn't distinguish between Willy DeVille and Mink DeVille. It's amazing how he made a second career for himself after moving to New Orleans. He fell in love with the place. And his association with John Phillip Shenale was very fruitful for him. Some of the musicians he played with on the albums he recorded in L.A. were amazing. I'd also like to know more about his friendship and collaboration with Jack Neitzsche and his childhood in Stamford. And what the hell was he doing in tiny Los Cerillos Hills, New Mexico? Anyhow, there's more than enough material for a book. Good luck with it. Take it one word, one sentence at a time, and pretty soon you'll have it done.
9 - Geena
Fabulous. We wanna know EVERYTHING !
10 - MacLeod Cushing
I grew up a mile from Billy Borsey in Stamford, CT. He terrorized me in Belltown School during his neighborhood bully phase. A friend of mine named Richard Craven was one of Billy's close childhood friends and his earliest "live" musical influences. Richard was writing songs years before Billy and I believe that's where Billy got the idea to be a songwriter. Richard works at Colony Records in Times Square NYC. He is a manager there, has worked there for 30 years. Richard also knew Toots quite well. By the way, one of Billy's childhood friends was Jackie Robinson Jr., son of the baseball immortal. Jackie Jr. had many problems and died young in a car accident.
11 - Willy DeVille Fans
Hi Mark, Any news about Willy's upcoming biography?
12 - mimi
I was close friends with Willy and Toots for a number of years - I stayed with them in NY and Toots stayed at my place during some "interesting" times. I was in touch with Willy over 30 years, knew Lisa, though not as well as I knew Toots, and have met Nina at Willy's memorial. But mostly - if you want any input about the years 1979 to 1986 - I have pics also, could you post contact info please.
13 - imene
Hello, this is a huge task to write this biography. This life should definitely be told. Im very excitet about this book.
Many people miss Willy and his concerts.
Sorry for my bad English.
imene from germany/berlin
14 - Deirdre Curran
Please write this book. He was so aggregiously underrated and underappreciated in this country, he should be an American Icon. The loss is huge - HUGE. His story needs to be told, and kept for the history books. His music and that amazing voice will live on forever. God I miss the guy....I was born in 1966. Sneaking into the clubs in NYC as a teenager in the early '80's (I grew up in Larchmont, NY, on the Stamford train line), I was underage and under his spell. The Ritz, the Lone Star, I'll never forget going to see him play again and again; if Willy was playing somewhere in NYC, I was taking my babysitting money, sneaking out of the house and I was there. It makes me so terribly sad to know I can never do that again. Those will always be some of the most precious memories of my lifetime. He was just amazing. That voice....ohhhhh that voice. So much love for Willy and gratitude to him for sharing his incredible talent with us all. Love love love to you Willy, wherever you are.
15 - Mara
Hi Marcus! How are you? Wish you all the best. & please please please write a book about great Willy DeVille!!! It will be absolutely fantastic. He was/ is pure rarity.