‘Village People’ lead singer Victor Willis takes his last breath at 74
Victor Willis, the lead singer of the 1970s disco group Village People, has passed away. He was 74.
The musician’s death was announced by the band on its official Facebook account.
“We are profoundly sad to announce the death of VICTOR WILLIS, lead singer of Village People,” said the brief statement.
“Victor passed on Monday June 30, 2026 of a short but aggressive illness. Privacy is requested,” the statement concluded.
The musician, who was born in Texas in 1951, was the lead singer and co-writer for the band’s biggest hits, such as YMCA, Go West, and In The Navy.
The group became famous worldwide in the 1970s for performing as classic macho characters.
Victor left the band in 1980 and spent years in a legal fight over the rights to his songs.
He rejoined the group in 2017 and performed YMCA at President Trump’s pre-inauguration rally in January 2025.
Defending the group’s decision to perform at Trump’s pre-inauguration rally in January 2025, Willis penned on fb that “We know this wont [sic] make some of you happy to hear however we believe that music is to be performed without regard to politics.”
“Our song Y.M.C.A. is a global anthem that hopefully helps bring the country together after a tumultuous and divided campaign where our preferred candidate lost,” he added.
