Victor Willis, the unmistakable voice behind some of disco’s biggest anthems, has died at 75.
The news was announced on Village People’s social media pages, where the band shared that Willis had passed away on Monday, June 30, 2026, after a “short but aggressive illness.”
“We are profoundly sad to announce the death of Victor Willis, lead singer of Village People,” the post read. “Privacy is requested.”
Willis was a founding member of the legendary disco group, best known for massive hits like “Y.M.C.A.,” “Go West” and “In the Navy.”
The group’s name was inspired by New York City’s Greenwich Village, a neighborhood long known as the historic heart of the city’s LGBTQ+ scene.
Village People first came together in the late 1970s after the team behind Can’t Stop Productions decided to create a group that could break into the American music scene.
Willis quickly became the centerpiece.
After producers discovered him through a demo tape, he recorded the first Village People album largely on his own and helped write several of the tracks. When the record took off, dancers were added for live performances, and the group’s now-famous characters were born.
Willis became known as the group’s police officer, one of several costumes that played on larger-than-life macho stereotypes.
Though he left the group in 1979, Village People continued performing for decades with different lineups and replacement singers stepping into the lead role.
Willis later scored a major legal victory in 2012 when he won back rights connected to several of the group’s most famous songs, including “Y.M.C.A.” and “In the Navy.” He was first awarded a 33 percent share of the credits, which was later increased to 50 percent.
In 2017, Willis returned to Village People and began performing again, bringing the group’s high-energy disco sound to festivals, Pride celebrations and audiences around the world.
In recent years, the group also made headlines for its unexpected connection to Donald Trump, who began using Village People songs at campaign rallies in 2020. Willis initially asked him to stop using the music, though the group later softened its stance and even performed at a pre-inauguration rally after Trump won a second White House term.
Fans flooded social media with tributes after news of Willis’ death broke.
“What a talented and skilled man that gave joy to millions all over the world,” one person wrote on the band’s Facebook page. “Victor wrote many hits that over the years turned into anthems.”
“So sorry to hear this!” another fan wrote. “Victor was a sweet, talented man!”
Willis is survived by his wife, Karen Huff-Willis.