Victor Willis, the lead singer of Village People whose voice helped make \u201cY.M.C.A.\u201d one of the most recognizable disco songs of all time, has died, the group said. He was 74.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Village People said Willis died Tuesday after what it described as a \u201cshort but aggressive illness.\u201d The group did not release additional details and asked for privacy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe are profoundly sad to announce the death of Victor Willis, lead singer of Village People,\u201d the group said in a short statement<\/a>. \u201cVictor passed on Tuesday June 30, 2026 of a short but aggressive illness. Privacy is requested.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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 \u201cY.M.C.A.,\u201d \u201cMacho Man,\u201d \u201cIn the Navy\u201d and \u201cGo West.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n He was also one of the group\u2019s key songwriters, helping write several of its biggest songs. \u201cY.M.C.A.,\u201d released in 1978, became the group\u2019s signature hit and endured for decades as a stadium, wedding and political-rally anthem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n President Trump, who frequently used \u201cY.M.C.A.\u201d at his rallies, paid tribute to Willis on Wednesday, calling him \u201ca great and happy guy\u201d and saying the song had become a \u201cmonster\u201d hit again after being played at campaign events.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe will think of Victor every time YMCA is played, like today, and all throughout this July Fourth Birthday week,\u201d Trump said. \u201cMy condolences to his wonderful family and group, Victor Willis will be sorely missed.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n