Victor Willis, the lead singer of the disco group Village People and co-writer of the iconic hit "Y.M.C.A.," has died at the age of 74. His spouse announced his passing in a Facebook post on Wednesday, stating that Willis died on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, after a short but aggressive illness.
Trump Expresses Condolences
President Donald Trump, who frequently used "Y.M.C.A." at his rallies, offered his condolences on Wednesday. On his Truth Social platform, Trump wrote: "He was a great and happy guy who loved that I used his groups song, YMCA, at my Rallies. It became a 'monster' hit, again, 30 years after its original launch." Trump added, "We will think of Victor every time YMCA is played, like today, and all throughout this July Fourth Birthday week," referencing the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence.
Career and Legacy
The Texas-born musician co-founded Village People in 1977 after producer Jacques Morali and his business partner Henri Belolo invited him to sing lead vocals. According to the band's website, Morali told Willis, "I had a dream that you sang lead vocals on an album I produced, and it went very, very big... I'll make you a star." The group, known for flamboyant costumes and choreography featuring butch builders, bikers, cowboys, and soldiers, became a pop culture phenomenon targeting disco's large gay audience. An early advertisement seeking members read, "Macho Types Wanted for World-Famous Disco Group -- Must Dance and Have a Moustache."
Hit Songs and Later Years
Willis co-wrote hits including "Y.M.C.A.," "In the Navy," and "Macho Man," which dominated dancefloors worldwide in the late 1970s. He left the group in 1980 and later struggled with drug addiction, taking a plea deal over cocaine possession in 2006. Willis rejoined Village People in 2017 after winning a copyright lawsuit that allowed him to reclaim part-ownership of some of the band's biggest hits.
Controversy Over 'Y.M.C.A.'
"Y.M.C.A.," whose lyrics urge "young men" to head to the Young Men's Christian Association in New York, became an anthem for the LGBTQ community and beyond. In 2020, the song was added to the National Recording Registry by the U.S. Library of Congress and the Grammy Hall of Fame. However, its use at Trump rallies has led some to say it has been co-opted by the American right wing. Willis rejected interpretations of the song as a gay anthem, stating in 2024 that it was a "false assumption based on the fact that my writing partner was gay, and some (not all) of Village People were gay, and that the first Village People album was totally about gay life."
The band performed "Y.M.C.A." at a Trump rally in January 2025, before his second term. Willis said at the time, "Let's give President Trump a chance, regardless of what you may have thought about him in the past." He added, "Let's see what he's going to do moving forward and if he does things to restrict LGBTQ rights, Village People will be the first to speak out."
