Victor Willis, the original lead singer and co-founder of the disco phenomenon Village People, has died. He was 74.
Willis died on Tuesday, his wife announced on social media.
“It is with profound sadness that I must announce the death of my husband, VICTOR WILLIS. Victor passed away on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, as a result of a short, but aggressive illness,” a post on Willis’ Facebook page stated.
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“The family request privacy at this time of great loss,” the post added.
Following news of Willis’ death, President Donald Trump honored the singer in a post on Truth Social, remembering both the artist and the song that became a fixture at campaign events.
“Village People singer Victor Willis is dead at 74. He was a great and happy guy who loved that I used his groups song, ‘YMCA,’ at my Rallies. It became a ‘monster’ hit, again, 30 years after its original launch. Many singers and groups wanted to get on board at the Rallies after all of the Rally Attendance Records were set,” Trump wrote in his tribute.
“The crowds were, and are, enormous – But Victor and the group was there for us right from the beginning! They loved the action, and we loved them and their great and uplifting song. We will think of Victor every time YMCA is played, like today, and all throughout this July Fourth Birthday week. My condolences to his wonderful family and group, Victor Willis will be sorely missed, God Bless Him!!!” The post was signed, “President DONALD J. TRUMP.”
Willis helped launch Village People in the late 1970s and served as the group’s original frontman, recording chart-topping hits including “Y.M.C.A.,” “Go West” and “In the Navy.” He left the group in 1979 to pursue a solo career before rejoining in 2017, returning to the stage decades after helping define the disco era.
The Texas-born performer became one of the faces of Village People as the group skyrocketed to international fame with its signature costumes inspired by iconic masculine professions. Willis alternated between portraying a police officer and a naval officer while delivering the vocals behind many of the band’s biggest hits.
Before finding worldwide success, Willis grew up in San Francisco, where he sang gospel music in his Baptist minister father’s church before expanding into jazz and soul. His musical talent emerged early. His high school group, The Ballads, opened for The Temptations, and he later performed alongside jazz legends including Dizzy Gillespie, according to the BBC.
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After attending college, Willis landed a role in the Las Vegas production of “Hair,” leading to Broadway appearances in “Two Gentlemen of Verona” and “The Wiz.”
During his time in “The Wiz,” he met his first wife, future “The Cosby Show” star Phylicia Rashad. Willis later collaborated with Rashad on her disco album, “Josephine Disco,” according to the media outlet.
Village People released a string of successful albums during the height of the disco craze, including “Macho Man” and “Cruisin’,” the latter featuring the global smash “Y.M.C.A.” The group followed with “Go West” in 1979, which included the title track, “In the Navy” and “I Wanna Shake Your Hand.”
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Willis exited the group in 1979 during pre-production for the musical comedy, “Can’t Stop the Music.” In the years that followed, he became embroiled in a lengthy legal battle over the copyrights to songs he co-wrote before eventually returning to Village People in 2017.
Released in October 1978, “Y.M.C.A.” became an international sensation, reaching No. 1 in 17 countries and inspiring the instantly recognizable dance routine that remains a staple at weddings, sporting events and celebrations worldwide. In 2020, the song was preserved by the National Recording Registry at the Library of Congress as “culturally, historically or aesthetically significant” and was also inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.
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In recent years, Willis publicly challenged the long-held characterization of “Y.M.C.A.” as a “gay anthem.” In a 2024 Facebook post, he explained that the inspiration for the song came from his experiences with YMCA facilities in San Francisco.
“I wrote the song about the things I knew about the Y in the urban areas of San Francisco, such as swimming, basketball, track, and cheap food and cheap rooms,” Willis wrote.
The disco classic also found a new audience during President Trump‘s political rallies. Although Willis initially considered asking Trump to stop using the song after receiving complaints, he later changed his mind, saying the renewed attention had benefited both the song and its legacy.
“The financial benefits have been great as well as ‘Y.M.C.A.’ is estimated to gross several million dollars since the President Elect’s continued use of the song,” Willis said in a lengthy statement. “Therefore, I’m glad I allowed the President Elect’s continued use of ‘Y.M.C.A.’ And I thank him for choosing to use my song.”
Willis and Village People later performed “Y.M.C.A.” during Trump’s pre-inauguration rally in January 2025.
Willis leaves behind a musical legacy that stretches far beyond the disco era. As the voice behind one of the most enduring songs in popular music, his work continues to resonate with generations of fans, ensuring that “Y.M.C.A.” remains one of the most celebrated anthems in recording history.
