Victor Willis, the iconic lead singer of the disco group Village People and one of the most recognizable voices of the 1970s music scene, has died at the age of 74. The news was announced via the group’s official Facebook page.
“It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Victor Willis, lead vocalist of the Village People,” read the brief statement. “Victor passed away on Monday, June 30, 2026, following a short but aggressive illness. We kindly ask for privacy for his family.”
Born in Texas, Willis was the principal vocalist and co-writer behind the group’s biggest hits—including ‘YMCA,’ ‘Go West,’ and ‘In the Navy.’ Village People rose to global fame in the 1970s, known for their flamboyant stage costumes depicting stereotypical masculine archetypes: a police officer, a construction worker, a Native American chief, a cowboy, a leather-clad biker, and a sailor. Willis famously portrayed both the police officer and the naval officer during the band’s peak years.
He left the group in 1980 and later engaged in a prolonged legal battle over royalties and copyright ownership of the band’s catalog—successfully regaining partial rights to several songs under U.S. copyright law. Willis rejoined Village People in 2017 and performed ‘YMCA’ at Donald Trump’s pre-inauguration rally in January 2025.