Victor Willis, lead singer of Village People, dead at 74

Victor Willis, the lead singer of Village People whose voice helped make “Y.M.C.A.” one of the most recognizable disco songs of all time, has died, the group said. He was 74.

Village People said Willis died Tuesday after what it described as a “short but aggressive illness.” The group did not release additional details and asked for privacy.

“We are profoundly sad to announce the death of Victor Willis, lead singer of Village People,” the group said in a short statement. “Victor passed on Tuesday June 30, 2026 of a short but aggressive illness. Privacy is requested.”

Willis was the original lead singer of Village People, the disco group known for its costumed stage personas and a string of late-1970s hits, including “Y.M.C.A.,” “Macho Man,” “In the Navy” and “Go West.”

He was also one of the group’s key songwriters, helping write several of its biggest songs. “Y.M.C.A.,” released in 1978, became the group’s signature hit and endured for decades as a stadium, wedding and political-rally anthem.

President Trump, who frequently used “Y.M.C.A.” at his rallies, paid tribute to Willis on Wednesday, calling him “a great and happy guy” and saying the song had become a “monster” hit again after being played at campaign events.

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