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

Victor Willis, the co-founder of the Village People, passed away at the age of 74. He co-wrote the iconic disco hits “Y.M.C.A.,” “Macho Man,” and “In the Navy,” and was widely known for his performances dressed as the band’s police officer.

The Village People announced his death on Facebook, stating that he succumbed to a short but aggressive illness. Willis was a talented musician and actor, who appeared in “The Wiz” on Broadway before immersing himself in the disco scene in 1977.

Alongside producer Jacques Morali and business partner Henri Belolo, Willis formed the Village People, known for their macho-themed personas. The idea came about during a party at a gay nightclub in Manhattan’s West Village. The group released their debut album in 1977 and followed up with “Macho Man” and “Cruisin’” in 1978, featuring the international hit “Y.M.C.A.”

“Y.M.C.A.” became an American cultural staple and was added to the National Recording Registry by Congress in 2020. In 2021, it was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. In 1979, the group released “Go West,” which included another hit, “In the Navy.”

Willis also appeared in the movie “Can’t Stop the Music,” a comedy featuring the Village People and Steve Guttenberg. Despite its reception, Village People’s music remains popular at a variety of celebratory events, including weddings and public marches.

Former President Donald Trump noted Willis’s impact, mentioning the song’s presence at events like the Fourth of July. Although some artists opposed the use of their music at Trump’s events, Willis believed it was not an endorsement.

Born in Texas and raised in San Francisco’s Haight-Ashbury district, Willis moved to New York, where a YMCA experience inspired the famous song. Later, he secured 50% copyright ownership in the U.S. of 13 Village People songs after a favorable court ruling in 2015.

Despite facing personal challenges, Willis shared in 2012 that his life had improved, following legal and rehab issues. Last May, Willis performed “Happy Birthday” and “Y.M.C.A.” for Secretary of State Marco Rubio during an event in India, highlighting his lasting connection to the music and its influence.