Victor Willis, the co-founder and lead singer of the Village People, died Tuesday at the age of 74. The Dallas-born musician succumbed to "a short, but aggressive illness," his wife, Karen Huff-Willis, announced Wednesday on his Facebook page.
The group, famous for its elaborate costumes and disco anthems, achieved global recognition in the 1970s with songs such as "Y.M.C.A.," "Go West," and "In the Navy," many of which Willis co-wrote. During performances, he was often seen as a police officer or a naval officer.
Willis left the Village People twice in the 1980s but rejoined the group in 2017. Shortly thereafter, "Y.M.C.A." gained renewed popularity as one of former President Donald Trump's favored songs during his 2020 presidential campaign rallies.
Initially, Willis requested that Trump cease using the song. However, his stance later shifted, and the Village People performed for Trump in January 2025 during festivities for his second inauguration.
Trump paid tribute to Willis on his Truth Social platform, remembering him as "a great and happy guy who loved that I used his groups song, YMCA, at my Rallies." He noted that the song became a "monster hit, again, 30 years after its original launch," attributing the record-breaking rally attendance partly to the song's uplifting presence. Trump extended condolences to Willis's family and the group, stating, "We will think of Victor every time YMCA is played, like today, and all throughout this July Fourth Birthday week."
The Village People released their most recent single, "DISCO STAR," last month.