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Village People Singer and 'YMCA' Co-Writer Was 74
Variety • • general
Key Points:
- Victor Willis, founding lead singer of the Village People and co-writer of iconic hits like “YMCA,” “Macho Man,” and “In the Navy,” died on June 30, 2026, at the age of 74 after a brief illness.
- Raised in San Francisco as the son of a Baptist preacher, Willis developed his vocal skills in church and later pursued acting and dance in New York, including performing in the original Broadway production of “The Wiz” in 1976.
- His music career took off after meeting French disco producer Jacques Morali, leading to the formation of the Village People in 1977, known for their theatrical disco style and iconic costumed characters.
- Willis co-wrote the group’s biggest hits, with “YMCA” becoming a cultural phenomenon recognized by the Library of Congress and inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.
- He left the Village People in the early 1980s, struggled with substance abuse, and later sought treatment at the Betty Ford Clinic in 2007.
