C.C. Deville: Guitarist for Poison

C.C. Deville: Guitarist for Poison by Janis I. Monroe Soucie

C.C. Deville was born as Bruce Anthony Johannesson in the Bay Ridge area of Brooklyn. He was born on May 14, 1962.

His music interest began at the age of two while watching The Beatles on television. He began playing guitar at the age of five. His love of music grew and he listened to Led Zepplin, Black Sabbath, The Rolling Stones, David Bowie, Aerosmith, Van Halen, Queen, Cheap Trick and Kiss.

When he was eighteen he formed the Lace in New York. He adopted a highly sexual "glam" image. During this time Deville started writing the song "Talk Dirty to Me" which appeared on Poison's first album Look What the Cat Dragged In.

Deville studied music theory at New York University, however, he never completed his studies. He moved to Los Angeles in 1981 and played for various bands such as Screaming Mimi, Lace Slip, St James and Roxx Regime, who later changed their name to Stryper. Lastly, he tried out of Poison.

Deville impressed certain members of the band like drummer Rikki Rocket, and bassist Bobby Dall. He managed to anger singer Brett Michaels because Deville didn't play the songs given to him for preparation. Instead he played his own song, which eventually was featured in the Poison single "Talk Dirty to Me". This song launched the band's career.

Deville, along with Brett Michaels, Bobby Dall, and Rikki Rocket, wrote Poison's first album Look What the Cat Dragged In. The album was released on August 2, 1986. The following three songs were hits off the album, "Talk Dirty to Me", "I Want Action", and "I Won't Forget You". In the United States alone, the album topped three million copies sold. Deville then wrote most of the material for Open Up and Say...Ahh!, Poison's second album. This album was released on May 21, 1988 and sol eight million copies worldwide. In 1990, Flesh and Blood was released. Also during this period, Deville played lead guitar for Warrant's hit song "Cherry Pie".

While touring to support their album Flesh and Blood, substance abuse and tension with other band members, mostly Brett Michaels, began to tear the band apart. Even though this was happening behind the scenes, Poison managed to release Swallow This Live in 1991.

In 1991, at the MTV Video Music Awards, Deville's performance waned when his guitar became unplugged and he changed the song choice in mid-performance. Backstage, Deville and Michaels ended up in a fist-fight. Deville then decided to leave Poison.

Years following the altercation, Deville went under rehabilitation for his substance abuse problems. During this time he was able to release several solo and side project bands including acts like "Needle Park" and "The Stepmothers". Neither of these bands had the success as Poison did. The bands continued on without Deville.

Deville became a part of the band named Samantha 7, with guitarist Ty Longley, bassist Krys Baratto, and drummer Francis Ruiz. They played at Woodstock in 1999.

Deville regained contact with his ex bandmates from Poison in 1999. He made a successful return to the band and there was a reunion tour that year. Many shows were recorded and then released as studio album/live hybrid release in 2000 titled Power to the People.

Deville continues his music career with Poison. In 2006, Deville starred on the TV show The Surreal Life on VH1.

RESOURCES:

http://www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CC_Deville