Victor Willis, the legendary lead singer of the disco group Village People, has died at the age of 74.
The singer passed away on Tuesday, June 30, after battling what his family described as a “short but aggressive illness.” The news was confirmed by the band through an official statement shared on its social media platforms.
The statement read, “We are profoundly sad to announce the death of Victor Willis, lead singer of the Village People. Victor passed on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, of a short but aggressive illness. Privacy is requested.”
Later, his wife, Karen Huff Willis, also confirmed his death on Facebook.
“It is with profound sadness that I must announce the death of my husband. Victor passed away on Tuesday as a result of a short but aggressive illness. The family requests privacy at this time of great loss,” she wrote.
Victor Willis Helped Create Village People’s Biggest Hits
Born in Texas, Victor Willis became the voice behind some of the most popular disco songs of the 1970s.
He was the lead singer and co-writer of timeless hits such as Y.M.C.A., Go West, and In the Navy. These songs helped Village People become one of the biggest disco acts in the world.
The group became famous not only for its music but also for its colorful stage personas. Members dressed as characters such as a police officer, construction worker, cowboy, and sailor, while Willis often performed as a policeman or naval officer.
He Left the Band to Pursue a Solo Career
In 1980, Victor Willis left Village People to focus on a solo music career.
During that period, he refused to perform Village People songs and turned down offers to record similar music. In 1979, he recorded a solo album titled Solo Man. However, the project remained unreleased for more than three decades before finally being released in August 2015.
Although his solo career did not achieve the same level of success, Willis remained active in the entertainment industry.
Copyright Battle and Return to Village People
Victor Willis spent several years fighting a legal battle over the copyright ownership of songs he had written during his time with Village People.
After successfully reclaiming rights to many of his compositions, he reunited with the band in 2017. His return marked a new chapter for the legendary disco group, which continued to perform around the world.
Y.M.C.A. Returned to the Spotlight
In recent years, Y.M.C.A. found a new audience after it became associated with Donald Trump’s political rallies.
The song experienced a major resurgence in popularity when Trump regularly danced to the 1978 hit at campaign events beginning in 2020.
Willis had previously said he received thousands of complaints from fans about the song’s political use. At one point, he considered asking Trump to stop using it because he felt the continued use had become a nuisance.
However, Village People later performed at President Donald Trump’s pre-inauguration rally in January 2025, where Willis also took the stage.
A Career Beyond Music
Besides his success in music, Victor Willis also built a respected career in theatre.
He appeared in several stage productions, including the original Broadway production of The Wiz, showcasing his talents as both a singer and an actor.
Victor Willis’ Personal Life
Victor Willis was first married to actress Phylicia Ayers-Allen, now known as Phylicia Rashad, who became famous for playing Clair Huxtable on The Cosby Show. Their marriage lasted from 1978 to 1982.
On November 17, 2007, Willis married Karen Huff, a lawyer and entertainment executive. She remained by his side until his death.
Victor Willis leaves behind a musical legacy that continues to inspire generations. His unforgettable voice and contributions to disco music helped define an era, while songs like Y.M.C.A. remain among the most recognised anthems in music history.