Victor Willis, Village People Lead Singer, Dies at 74 After Illness

Victor Willis, the lead singer of the disco group Village People, passed away on June 30 at the age of 74 after a brief but aggressive illness. The band announced his death on their official Facebook page, asking for privacy for his loved ones. Willis, born in Texas, was not only the voice behind iconic hits like "YMCA" and "Go West" but also co-wrote many of the band's songs. Village People gained international fame in the late 1970s and became prominent gay icons, known for performing in macho costumes; Willis often dressed as a police officer or naval officer.

Willis left the band in the 1980s and engaged in legal battles over the rights to the songs he helped create. He was married twice: first to actress Phylicia Rashad from 1978 to 1982, known for her role as Clair on "The Cosby Show," and later to attorney Karen Huff from 2007 onward. Throughout his life, Willis struggled with drug addiction, which led to his arrest in 2006 and subsequent rehabilitation. In 2007, he publicly announced his sobriety after more than 25 years away from the media.

He rejoined Village People in 2017 and notably performed "YMCA" with the band at President Donald Trump's inauguration event in 2025. Willis's contributions to disco and pop culture remain influential, marking him as a significant figure in music history.