Village People frontman Victor Willis dies at 74

KUALA LUMPUR: Victor Willis, the lead singer and co-founder of disco icons Village People, whose voice powered global hits including “Y.M.C.A.”, “Macho Man” and “In the Navy”, has died at age 74.

His wife, Karen Huff Willis, announced on Facebook that he died on June 30 following “a short, but aggressive illness”.

Born in Texas and raised in San Francisco, Willis grew up singing gospel music in his Baptist minister father’s church before pursuing jazz, soul and musical theatre.

After appearing in stage productions of “Hair”, “Two Gentlemen of Verona” and “The Wiz” on Broadway, his life took a dramatic turn in 1977 when French producer Jacques Morali invited him to record vocals for a new disco project.

According to the band’s website, Morali told him: “I had a dream that you sang lead vocals on an album I produced, and it went very, very big… I’ll make you a star.”

The gamble paid off: Village People became one of disco’s defining acts, instantly recognisable for their flamboyant costumes portraying characters such as a police officer, cowboy, construction worker, soldier and biker, along with irresistibly catchy dance-floor anthems.

Willis, who alternated between the group’s policeman and admiral personas, co-wrote many of its biggest hits, including “Y.M.C.A.”, “Macho Man”, “In the Navy” and “Go West”.

Released in 1978, “Y.M.C.A.” became one of the best-known songs of the disco era, topping charts around the world and inspiring the instantly recognisable arm movements that remain a staple at weddings, parties and sporting events decades later.

In 2020, the song was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame and added to the US Library of Congress’ National Recording Registry in recognition of its cultural and historical significance.

While “Y.M.C.A.” became closely associated with the LGBTQ community over the years, Willis repeatedly disputed claims that it was intended as a gay anthem. He said the song reflected his experiences of YMCA branches in San Francisco, where young men gathered for recreation and inexpensive lodging.

Despite the group’s phenomenal success, Willis left Village People in 1980 as disco’s popularity began to fade. His attempt at a solo career struggled to take off, and he later spoke candidly about falling into depression and drug addiction.

He eventually turned his life around after completing court-ordered substance abuse treatment in 2006, marking the beginning of a personal comeback.

Another major victory followed nearly a decade later. After a lengthy legal battle, a US federal jury ruled in 2015 that Willis was entitled to reclaim 50% ownership of 13 Village People songs in the US, including “Y.M.C.A.”

The decision paved the way for him to rejoin the band in 2017 and introduce the group’s music to a new generation of fans.

“Y.M.C.A.” also found renewed prominence after being adopted at rallies for US president Donald Trump, with the band performing at a pre-inauguration event in January last year.

Throughout his later years, Willis maintained that the enduring appeal of the band’s music transcended politics. His legacy rests above all on helping create some of the most joyful and enduring songs of the disco era – music that continues to fill dance floors nearly half a century later.