Victor Willis, Lead Singer/Co-Founder of Village People, Dead At 74

Victor Willis, the “police officer” and founding lead singer of the Village People has died at the age of 74.

A post on the Village People’s official Facebook page reads, “We are profoundly sad to announce the death of Victor Willis, lead singer of Village People. Victor passed on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, of a short but aggressive illness. Privacy is requested.”

Victor Willis, the founding lead singer of Village People and co-writer of “YMCA,” “Macho Man” and “In the Navy,” died on Tuesday. He was 74. https://t.co/iQAbGRdUxC

— Variety (@Variety) July 1, 2026

From Variety:

The son of a Baptist preacher, Willis grew up in San Francisco, where he developed his voice singing in his father’s church.

With training in acting and dance, he relocated to New York and joined the Negro Ensemble Company, appearing in numerous musicals and plays, including the original Broadway production of “The Wiz” in 1976.

Willis went on to co-write all of the group’s biggest singles. “YMCA,” released in 1978, became their signature hit, followed by “In the Navy” and “Go West.”

Village People’s theatrical blend of disco rhythms and outsized masculine archetypes – cop, cowboy, construction worker – propelled them to mainstream ubiquity.

Willis left the group in 1980 and again in 1983 after a brief return. After his departure, he struggled with substance abuse before entering the Betty Ford Clinic in 2007.

In recent years, he’s been connected to Donald Trump thanks to the Donald’s fondness for playing “YMCA” at his rallies. He famously declared he would sue any outlets who referred to the gay anthem as a gay anthem.

Trump mentioned Willis’ death in a social media post Wednesday and took credit for reviving “YMCA.”