Victor Willis, Lead Singer Of Iconic 70s Group Village People, Dies At 74–A Day Before His Birthday

Victor Willis, whose booming lead vocals on the iconic Disco act Village People helped catapult the group to international fame, has died. He was 74 years old.

Willis, born Victor Edward Willis in Dallas, Texas in 1951, grew up in San Francisco. Later he would become the lead singer of Village People, who scored a number of 1970s Disco-era classics including “San Francisco (You Got Me), “In Hollywood (Everybody is a Star)”, and the group’s signature hit, “Y.M.C.A.”.

Willis reportedly battled addiction and at one point left the group but would once again begin performing with an ensemble billed as Village People, including for President Donald Trump, who posted on his Truth Social page:

 “We will think of Victor every time YMCA is played, like today, and all throughout this July Fourth Birthday week. My condolences to his wonderful family and group, Victor Willis will be sorely missed, God Bless Him!!!”

Trump has made Y.M.C.A. one of his signature melodies even though the song is widely renowned as a gay cruising anthem.

Willis considered legal action against Trump for use of the song but later relented once he recognized he could reap royalties for Trump’s use of the track.

“The financial benefits have been great. ‘YMCA’ is estimated to gross several million dollars since the President Elect’s continued use of the song,” Willis said in 2025.

Willis passed away a day before his 75th birthday.