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Village People lead singer Victor Willis dead at 74
Victor Willis (centre) wrote the Village People's hit YMCA. (Getty Images: Paul Natkin)
Lead singer and founding member of the Village People, Victor Willis, has died at the age of 74.
The YMCA co-writer often performed as either a policeman or a naval officer.
The band and Willis's wife announced he had died of a "short but aggressive illness".
The lead singer and a founding member of the Village People disco group has died at the age of 74.
Victor Willis, who portrayed a policeman and naval officer in the troupe, founded the group in 1977 with Jacques Morali and Henri Belolo.
The group announced Willis had died after "a short but aggressive illness".
Village People lead singer Victor Willis dies after short, aggressive illness
The frontman of iconic band the Village People, Victor Willis, has died at the age of 74.
The band announced Willis’ death in a short statement on Facebook on Wednesday night.
“We are profoundly sad to announce the death of VICTOR WILLIS, lead singer of Village People,” the band said.
“Victor passed on Tuesday June 30, 2026 of a short but aggressive illness.
The American group were famed for their camp outfits and best known for their songs YMCA, Macho Man, In The Navy and Go West.
Willis’ wife shared her own statement on a Facebook page dedicated solely to her husband.
The original Village People (L-R) Randy Jones (the cowboy); David Hodo (the construction worker); Felipe Rose (the American Indian); Victor Willis (the cop); Glenn Hughes (the leatherman) and Alexander Briley (the G.I.) Supplied.
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Village People lead singer Victor Willis dies aged 74
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Village People lead singer Victor Willis has died aged 74, a post on the band's official Facebook page says.
The YMCA singer, who performed with a version of the disco band at a number of events for US President Donald Trump's inauguration in January 2025, died following a "short but aggressive illness" on Monday, according to the statement
"We are profoundly sad to announce the death of Victor Willis, lead singer of Village People. Victor passed on Monday June 30, 2026 of a short but aggressive illness. Privacy is requested," the statement said.
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