What To Know
- Victor Willis, lead singer and founding member of The Village People, at age 75.
- Willis was known for iconic hits like “Y.M.C.A.” and had a complex relationship with Donald Trump.
- The Village People, formed in 1978, became famous for their themed costumes and disco anthems.
Victor Willis, the lead singer and a founding member of The Village People, is dead at 75.
On June 30, his family announced the “Y.M.C.A.” singer’s death in a statement shared on the band’s Facebook page.
“We are profoundly sad to announce the death of VICTOR WILLIS, lead singer of Village People,” the update revealed. “Victor passed on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, of a short but aggressive illness. Privacy is requested.”
President Donald Trump took to Truth Social to share a tribute to Willis. In the post, the POTUS, 80, described the late singer as a “great and happy guy,” noting that “Victor and the group was there for us right from the beginning.”
To conclude his post, Trump added, “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!!!”
During his 2020 presidential campaign, Trump started using “Y.M.C.A” at rallies. The Village People and their music have since been featured at many Trump and Republican events. Although Willis initially spoke out against Trump’s use of the song, he later changed his tune.
“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,” he wrote in a December 2024 Facebook post. “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.”
A group of six men founded The Village People in 1978. Aside from Willis as the cop/naval officer, the original band members included Felipe Rose as the Native American, Alex Briley as the G.I./soldier, Glenn Hughes as the leatherman/biker, David Hodo as the construction worker, and Randy Jones as the cowboy.
In addition to their signature song “Y.M.C.A.,” the group was known for “Macho Man,” “In the Navy,” “Go West,” “San Francisco (You’ve Got Me,” and more.
The most recent touring members of The Village People included Willis, Javier Perez, James Lee, James J.J. Lippold, James Kwong, and Nicholas Manelick.
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