 Mark Knopfler, a champion of DeVille's music, said of DeVille after learning he had been diagnosed with cancer, "I've been an admirer of Willy's since hearing his stunning voice on the radio for the first time.He has an enormous range, with influences from all corners of the country, from Muddy Waters and John Lee Hooker and New Orleans music to Latin, folk-rock, doo-wop, Ben E. King-style soul and R&B — all part of the New York mix.The songs he writes are original, often romantic and always straight from the heart.