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Victor Willis, Village People's original singer and hit co-writer, dies at 74
🇨🇱 Chile /Culture & Society

Victor Willis, Village People's original singer and hit co-writer, dies at 74

From Cooperativa · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Official statement Outcome reported
  • Victor Willis, the original lead singer and co-writer for the Village People, died June 30 at age 74.
  • Willis, who portrayed the group's police officer character, co-wrote hits like "YMCA" and "In the Navy" before leaving in 1979 and returning in 2017.
  • The group, known for its distinct characters and global success, recently performed at Donald Trump's presidential inauguration.

Victor Willis, the iconic police officer of the Village People and co-writer of their global hits, has died at age 74. The group announced his passing on June 30, citing a "short but aggressive illness." Willis, who would have turned 75 on the day of the announcement, was a central figure in the band's formation in 1977, where each member adopted a unique persona.

During his initial tenure, Willis co-penned enduring anthems such as "YMCA," "In the Navy," "Macho Man," and "Go West." He departed in late 1979 to pursue a solo career, which saw limited success, before rejoining the Village People as lead singer in 2017. The band has sold over 100 million records worldwide and continues to enjoy significant popularity.

Recently, the Village People performed at the inauguration of U.S. President Donald Trump in 2025. In a notable statement, Willis also asserted that the song "Y.M.C.A." is not an anthem of the LGBTQ+ community.

deep sadness

— Village PeopleThe group expressed their 'deep sadness' on Facebook following the announcement of Willis's death.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Cooperativa in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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