Victor Willis, Village People lead singer, dies at 74
FILE: American Disco group the Village People perform onstage at the Park West, Chicago, Illinois, May 19, 1978. Pictured is Victor Willis (fore) and, in the background, David Hodo and Felipe Rose. (Photo by Paul Natkin/Getty Images)
Victor Willis, the Village People lead singer who co-wrote hits like "YMCA" and "Macho Man," has died.
He was 74 years old.
Victor Willis’ death
What we know:
The Village People and Willis’ wife confirmed his death on Facebook.
What we don't know:
It’s unclear exactly how he died, but the band said it was following a "short but aggressive illness."
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What they're saying:
"We are profoundly sad to announce the death of VICTOR WILLIS, lead singer of Village People," the band wrote on its official Facebook page. "Victor passed on Tuesday June 30, 2026 of a short but aggressive illness.
President Donald Trump shared a tribute to Willis on his Truth Social account, calling him "a great and happy guy."
Victor Willis’ life
The backstory:
Willis grew up singing in his father’s Baptist church in San Francisco, but moved to New York in the ‘70s to pursue a music career. He was part of the Negro Ensemble Company and had roles in several musicals and plays, including the original Broadway production of "The Wiz" in 1976, according to Variety.
In 1977, producer Jacques Morali and his partner Henri Belolo, known collectively as Can’t Stop Productions, were recording a new album for their hit group the Ritchie Family and needed backup singers, according to the Village People website.
The conductor who was working with them suggested Willis. After Willis did background vocals on the album, Morali approached him about another musical project he and Belolo were planning – the Village People. Little did they know that Village People’s "YMCA" would turn out to be an "American phenomenon," as described by the Library of Congress in 2020.
The group was known for elaborate costumes, disco beats and theatrical performances. Other Village People hits include "In The Navy" and "Macho Man."
Willis left the Village People in late 1979. In 2017, Willis returned to Village People as lead singer and revamped the group. They released a new song in June, according to their Facebook page.
The Source: This report includes information from the Village People’s website, Facebook page and Variety.