The music industry in the United States is mourning the death of the leader of the Village People, Víctor Willis, recognized for songs like YMCTO, Go West and In the Navy. The singer died on June 30, one day before his 75th birthday.
Víctor Willis, who established himself as the leader of the group and was one of the first members of the project, stood out for the composition of some of the most recognized songs by Village People and even sought to develop a career as a soloist.
His death was announced by his wife, Karen Huff, who shared on the singer’s social networks: “It is with deep sadness that I must announce the death of my husband, Victor Willis,” adding that the performer died on Tuesday, June 30.
Along with her message, Huff asked the singer’s followers, as well as the media, to respect the family’s privacy during this time of mourning. Later, the group confirmed the death.
«We are deeply saddened to announce the death of Víctor Willis, singer of Village People. “Víctor passed away on Tuesday, June 30,” the group published along with a photograph of the artist in his characteristic American police suit.
Regarding the cause of death, both the family and the group indicated that it was due to a brief but aggressive illness, without providing more details about the diagnosis he faced before dying.
Musical legacy of Víctor Willis
Known for topics such as YMCA, Go West and In the Navy, Victor Willis was a singer, songwriter and leader of the Village People. He was born in Texas on July 1, 1951 and stood out for playing the characteristic police officer and, sometimes, the sailor of the disco music group that achieved great popularity during the 1970s.
Willis was the first member to join the Village People project, created by producer Jacques Morali. Before the birth of the group, in 1977, he was invited to participate as a backup singer for the group The Ritchie Family on the song African Queen.
After that participation, Jacques Morali and his partner Henri Belolo invited him to join a new project that ended up becoming Village People, according to the artist’s official website.
The first songs of the project were San Francisco (You’ve Got Me), In Hollywood (Everybody’s a Star), Fire Island and Village Peoplewhich “were recorded by Willis with professional backing vocalists and released as the debut album Village People in 1977. Some time later Felipe Rose and Alex Briley joined.
As time went by, the band became characterized by representing different male stereotypes, with members sporting a characteristic mustache and themed costumes, depending on the call for new members.
Later the second album arrived, male manwhich led Village People to achieve international recognition. Shortly after they published Cruisin’an album that consolidated his success and included YMCA. Finally, Willis left the group at the end of 1979.
After his departure, he tried to develop a career as a soloist, although he did not obtain the expected success, according to the newspaper. The Country. This professional decline led him to face problems with depression and drug addiction. During the 2000s he managed to overcome that stage and took action to recover the copyrights of several of the group’s compositions.
Finally, in 2017, Víctor Willis returned to Village People as lead vocalist and renewed the group, which is currently taking a break from the tour it was carrying out to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States.
Message from President Donald Trump
«He was a cool and happy guy who loved when I used his group’s song, YMCAat my rallies,” wrote President Donald Trump when remembering the relationship he had with the artist during his campaign to return to the White House.
Trump also asked to remember the singer “every time he plays YMCAlike today and throughout this 4th of July birthday week. My condolences to his wonderful family and to his group. “Víctor Willis will be greatly missed.”
Donald Trump’s farewell message to Victor Willis. (Social truth photo: Donald Trump)