Victor Willis, Lead Singer of Village People, Dies at 74

Victor Willis, the lead singer of the famed disco group Village People, has passed away at the age of 74. His wife and the band confirmed his death through posts on Facebook.

Karen-Huff Willis, his wife, announced, “It is with profound sadness that I must announce the death of my husband, VICTOR WILLIS.” She detailed that he succumbed to a short-lived but aggressive illness on June 30, 2026.

The Village People shared a similar message on their official page. Willis, originally from Texas, was a co-founder of the group. He co-wrote major hits such as “Y.M.C.A.,” “In the Navy,” and “Macho Man,” which became dancefloor staples in the late 1970s.

The group, known for its flamboyant costumes and choreography, became a pop icon. Their performances appealed mainly to the disco’s large gay audience, portraying characters like bikers, cowboys, and soldiers.

Willis initially parted ways with the group in 1980 but returned in 2017. In the interim, he faced personal challenges, including struggles with drug addiction. He accepted a plea deal for cocaine possession in 2006. “I got very depressed over the years and decided to just drop off the map. So I got into drugs,” he shared with the San Diego Union Tribune in 2015.

The song “Y.M.C.A.” encourages young men to seek out the Young Men’s Christian Association in New York and became an anthem for the LGBTQ community. However, its use at rallies and events supporting President Trump led some to view it as co-opted by the American right-wing movement.

Willis clarified his stance to the BBC in 2020, stating, “I don’t endorse Trump, I’ve never endorsed Trump, nor has the Village People.” He explained that due to copyright laws, the song could be played publicly without their endorsement.

Despite this, the band performed at a Trump rally in January 2025. “Let’s give President Trump a chance, regardless of what you may have thought about him in the past,” Willis said. He assured that they would be vocal against any actions from the administration that would restrict LGBTQ rights.

In 2012, a judge granted Willis rights to reclaim partial ownership of the Village People’s song copyrights, a decision which facilitated his return to the group in 2017, according to BBC News.