Victor Willis, Village People lead singer, dies aged 74

Victor Willis, 74, the lead singer of the 1970’s disco-group Village People, has died, his team said Wednesday.

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“We are profoundly sad to announce the death of VICTOR WILLIS, lead singer of Village People,” according to a statement posted on the band’s official Facebook Page .

“Victor passed on Tuesday June 30, 2026 of a short but aggressive illness. Privacy is requested,” it added.

Texas-born Willis was a co-founder and original lead singer for the band who wrote many of their songs and was perhaps best known for dressing as a cop, with the hit single “YMCA.”

He left the group in 1979 in hopes of embarking on a solo career.