Milan, 1 July (LaPresse) – The music world is in mourning: Victor Willis, the frontman of the 1970s disco group the Village People, has died at the age of 74, as announced on the band’s official social media page. The Texan musician was the singer and co-writer of the group’s biggest hits, including ‘YMCA’, ‘Go West’ and ‘In The Navy’. The group – as the BBC recalls – rose to international fame in the 1970s by performing dressed as sexist stereotypes. Willis alternated between playing a policeman and a naval officer. He left the band in 1980 and spent years fighting a legal battle over the copyright of the songs he had written. He rejoined the group in 2017 and performed ‘YMCA’ at US President Donald Trump’s pre-inauguration rally in January 2025. His death was announced on the band’s official Facebook page. “We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Victor Willis, lead singer of the Village People,” reads the brief statement. “Victor passed away on Monday 30 June 2026 following a short but aggressive illness. We ask that his privacy be respected,” the message concludes, accompanied by a photo of the singer.
Farewell to Victor Willis, the long-standing frontman of the Village People
Milan, 1 July (LaPresse) – The music world is in mourning: Victor Willis, the frontman of the 1970s disco group the Village People, has died at the age of 74, as announced on the band’s official social media page. The Texan musician was the singer and co-writer of the group’s biggest hits, including ‘YMCA’, ‘Go West’ and ‘In The Navy’. The group – as the BBC recalls – rose to international fame in the 1970s by performing dressed as sexist stereotypes. Willis alternated between playing a policeman and a naval officer. He left the band in 1980 and spent years fighting a legal battle over the copyright of the songs he had written. He rejoined the group in 2017 and performed ‘YMCA’ at US President Donald Trump’s pre-inauguration rally in January 2025. His death was announced on the band’s official Facebook page. “We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Victor Willis, lead singer of the Village People,” reads the brief statement. “Victor passed away on Monday 30 June 2026 following a short but aggressive illness. We ask that his privacy be respected,” the message concludes, accompanied by a photo of the singer.
