Victor Willis, Village People frontman, dies at 74

Victor Willis, the lead singer of the Village People, died Tuesday at age 74 from a brief but aggressive illness, his wife and the group announced on social media. He would have turned 75 today. Willis was the primary songwriter for iconic disco hits including "YMCA," "Macho Man," and "In The Navy." He often performed dressed as a police officer or navy sailor. The Village People rose to international fame in the 1970s, known for their sexually suggestive male stereotype costumes. Willis left the group in the 1980s and spent years in legal battles over song rights before returning in 2017. In recent years, the group's music became a staple at Donald Trump's presidential campaign rallies, and they performed "YMCA" at a rally preceding Trump's inauguration in January 2025.