Victor Willis, Co-Founder of the Village People, Passes Away at 74

The music world mourns the loss of Victor Willis, the co-founder of the Village People, who passed away at 74. Known for his role as the helmeted police officer in the iconic disco group, Willis co-wrote hits like “Y.M.C.A.,” “Macho Man,” and “In the Navy.”

“We are profoundly sad to announce the death of Victor Willis, lead singer of Village People,” the group shared on their official Facebook page. His demise was due to a “short but aggressive illness.”

Willis was not only a musician but also an actor, having appeared on Broadway in “The Wiz.” His venture into the disco scene began in 1977, joining a unique group of macho-looking men portrayed as various characters including a biker, a construction worker, a cop, a cowboy, and a Native American chief.

Along with producer Jacques Morali and Henri Belolo, Willis inaugurated the Village People in a West Village nightclub in Manhattan. Their debut album arrived in 1977, followed by two albums in 1978—“Macho Man” and “Cruisin’,” featuring the international hit “Y.M.C.A.” The song reached No. 2 on the Billboard chart.

In 1979, Village People released “Go West,” which included “In the Navy,” a song peaking at No. 3. “Macho Man” had earlier reached No. 25 in 1978.

The song “Y.M.C.A.” was described by Congress in 2020 as “an American phenomenon.” It joined the National Recording Registry and was included in the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2021.

Victor Willis starred in the 1980 film “Can’t Stop the Music,” a comedic portrayal praised for its silliness by critic Rex Reed, starring the Village People and Steve Guttenberg.

The group’s enduring music continues to enliven pool parties, high school dances, weddings, and other celebrations where an uplifting atmosphere prevails. Their songs are synonymous with gatherings like gay marches, even reaching the White House.

“We will think of Victor every time ‘Y.M.C.A.’ is played, like today, and all throughout this July Fourth Birthday week,” wrote former President Donald Trump, expressing condolences.

Amidst controversies where artists like Neil Young and John Fogerty prevented the use of their music by Trump, Willis stated his lack of endorsement when “Y.M.C.A.” played at events.

Born in Texas and raised in San Francisco’s Haight-Ashbury neighborhood, Willis was inspired by visiting a YMCA in Manhattan, prompting the famous song.

Legal uncertainties persisted over the Village People’s song ownership, but in 2015, a federal jury granted Willis 50% copyright ownership of 13 songs, including “Y.M.C.A.”

Despite previous drug-related arrests leading to rehab, Willis noted his positive life transformation in a 2012 interview with The Associated Press.

In May, Willis, the sole original Village People member, performed “Happy Birthday” and “Y.M.C.A.” for Secretary of State Marco Rubio during a function in India.