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Village People lead singer Victor Willis has died aged 74, a post on the band’s official Facebook page has confirmed.
The YMCA singer, who performed with a version of the disco band at a number of events for US President Donald Trump’s inauguration in January 2025, died following a “short but aggressive illness” on Monday, according to the statement
The statement read: “We are profoundly sad to announce the death of Victor Willis, lead singer of Village People. Victor passed on Monday June 30, 2026 of a short but aggressive illness. Privacy is requested.”
With Village People, Willis achieved two UK top 10 singles including YMCA, which has become a gay anthem despite the singer claiming in 2024 that it was not the song’s intention, and the number two single In The Navy.
When Mr Trump began using YMCA in his 2020 re-election campaign, which he lost to former US president Joe Biden, the group initially issued a cease and desist letter.
Mr Trump used the song again in his successful 2024 election campaign, which concluded with a line-up of the band performing at events around his 2025 inauguration.
The performances came despite one former Village People member Jim Newman, saying the original band “would never ever” perform at a Trump rally in a post on Instagram.
In 2020, Willis himself said his band did not endorse Mr Trump, who has also used the group’s song Macho Man at his rallies.
He told the BBC, prior to his performances at Trump rallies: “I like hearing music at all times and I like the fact that fans of all kinds, Democrats or Republicans, they all like YMCA and that is something that is pleasing to me.
“As far as endorsing Trump, I don’t endorse Trump, I’ve never endorsed Trump, nor has Village People.
“We have even asked him basically to stop even playing our music at his rallies.”
Village People also had hits with songs such as Go West and Can’t Stop The Music, and also achieved two UK hit albums. They also featured in the 1980 American comedy film Can’t Stop The Music, which was a pseudo-biography of the group.
The band were known for their fancy dress-style costumes, with Willis playing characters including a police officer, admiral and an athlete during performances.
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