Victor Willis of Village People Passes Away at 74

Victor Willis, the iconic lead singer of the immensely popular 1970s disco group “Village People,” has passed away.

The music group announced in a social media post that Willis died on Monday after suffering from “a short but aggressive illness.” The specific cause of his passing has not been disclosed.

As the theatrical frontman of “Village People,” Willis co-wrote many of the band’s biggest hits, including classics like “YMCA,” “Macho Man,” “Go West,” and “In The Navy.”

In the 1970s, the group skyrocketed to fame, embodying their “Macho Man” image while donning outfits like policeman and naval officer uniforms.

In 1980, Willis left the band and was involved in a legal dispute with other members regarding copyright issues tied to the songs he had written.

In 2017, Willis made a comeback with Village People and performed “YMCA” at a rally prior to President Trump’s inauguration in January 2025.

Victor Willis was 74 years old at the time of his passing.