Village People lead singer Victor Willis dies aged 74

A founding member of Village People, whose voice helped define some of the most memorable disco hits of the late 1970s, has died aged 74.

Victor Willis, lead singer of the group, died after a “short but aggressive illness”, his family announced on social media.

Known for his soulful tenor voice, he performed on the group’s biggest hits YMCA, Macho Man and In the Navy.

“We are profoundly sad to announce the death of Victor Willis, lead singer of Village People,” his family wrote on Facebook.

His wife, Karen Huff-Willis, said the loss had brought her “profound sadness”.

“Victor passed away on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, as a result of a short, but aggressive illness.”

Willis was born in Dallas, Texas on July 1, 1951.

He developed his vocal talents singing gospel music in his father’s Baptist church in San Francisco.

He performed on Broadway in his twenties, appearing in the original production of The Wiz, later joining its Australian production.

He co-founded the concept group Village People with French producers Jacques Morali and Henri Belolo in 1977.

Initially seen as a novelty act in the disco scene, the group comprised six exaggerated masculine characters – each dressed as a recognisable American archetype.

Willis dressed as the group’s trademark policeman, though he also often performed as a naval officer.

Powered by his commanding lead vocals, the group’s infectious dance anthems propelled them to worldwide success.

YMCA topped the charts in more than a dozen countries and reached No. 2 on the US Billboard Hot 100 in 1979.

The song’s enduring legacy was recognised in 2020 when it was selected for preservation in the US National Recording Registry by the Library of Congress.

The song became an enduring anthem within the LGBTQ+ community and enjoyed a resurgence in popularity after it became a regular feature at Donald Trump’s campaign rallies and inauguration-related events.

Willis later disputed the song’s reputation as a gay anthem and, after earlier criticism, said Trump’s use of it had generated millions of dollars in royalties.

In New Zealand, Macho Man reached No. 7 and was among the top 40 singles of 1978.