Victor Willis, Village People lead singer, dies at 74

Victor Willis, the charismatic lead singer of the iconic disco group Village People, has died at the age of 74, his wife and the band announced Wednesday.

Karen-Huff Willis shared the news on the musician's Facebook page, stating, "It is with profound sadness that I must announce the death of my husband, VICTOR WILLIS." She revealed that he passed away on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, following "a short, but aggressive illness."

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It is with profound sadness that I must announce the death of my husband, VICTOR WILLIS. Victor passed away on Tuesday June 30, 2026 as a result of a short, but aggressive illness.

Willis, a Texas native, was instrumental in the formation of the Village People and co-wrote many of their biggest hits, including "Y.M.C.A.," "In the Navy," and "Macho Man." These songs, released in the late 1970s, became global dancefloor anthems, propelled by the group's distinctive flamboyant costumes and camp fantasy characters.

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I got very depressed over the years and decided to just drop off the map. So I got into drugs.

Despite his success, Willis battled drug addiction, leading him to take a plea deal for cocaine possession in 2006. He spoke about his struggles in a 2015 interview, admitting, "I got very depressed over the years and decided to just drop off the map. So I got into drugs."

The song "Y.M.C.A.," with its message to "young men" to visit the Young Men's Christian Association, became an anthem for the LGBTQ community and beyond. However, its use at rallies supporting President Trump led to controversy. Willis clarified in a 2020 BBC interview that neither he nor the Village People endorsed Trump, explaining that U.S. copyright laws permitted the president to play their music. The band did perform "Y.M.C.A." at a Trump rally in January 2025, shortly before Trump's second term inauguration.

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I don't endorse Trump, I've never endorsed Trump, nor has the Village People. But because of the copyright laws in the United States, he's able to play our music any time he wants to.

In 2012, a judge ruled that Willis could reclaim partial ownership of the copyrights to over two dozen Village People songs, including their major hits. This legal resolution paved the way for his return to the group in 2017.

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Let's give President Trump a chance, regardless of what you may have thought about him in the past. Let's see what he's going to do moving forward, and if he does things to restrict LGBTQ rights, Village People will be the first to speak out.