Original Village People singer Victor Willis, co-writer of ‘YMCA’, dies at 74 By Carolina Costa
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Victor Willis, known worldwide for playing the iconic Village People police officer, passed away at the age of 74 this past Tuesday, June 30th. The sad news was promptly confirmed and released by the legendary musical group’s official page on social media.
In an emotional statement, the Village People group expressed their deep regret: “It is with extreme sadness that we inform you of the passing of Victor Willis, our lead singer. Victor left us on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, after a sudden and severe illness. We ask for respect for our privacy at this time”, they published on the social network Facebook.
The trajectory and successes of Victor Willis at Village People
Willis was the original figure behind the Village People’s “cop” character, being the main vocalist and one of those responsible for co-writing the megahit “YMCA”. His contribution extended to the creation of other songs of great repercussion, such as “Macho Man”, “In the Navy” and “Go West”, deeply marking the band’s sonic identity.
Before the full consolidation of the Village People with its six members, Willis recorded the band’s inaugural album almost autonomously, with the assistance of studio vocalists. His journey with the group was not without interruptions: he left in 1979, returned for a short period in 1984, and left the group for good in 1985.
In addition to his remarkable musical career, Victor Willis also shined on the Broadway stage, participating in acclaimed productions such as “The Wiz” and “Hair”. After a long period of personal challenges related to addiction, he completed successful treatment in 2006, turning his experience into a platform to raise public awareness about the dangers of addiction. Since this turn, he has resumed his performances and continued managing his artistic career alongside his wife.
