Victor Willis, the lead singer of the disco group Village People, has died at the age of 74, his spouse announced on social media. Willis passed away on June 30, 2026, following a brief but severe illness, according to a statement released on the band’s official Facebook page.

Willis gained international fame as the frontman of Village People, known for his role as the police officer character in their most iconic hit, “YMCA.” The song remains the best-selling dance single in the United States and has been recognised by the US Library of Congress’s National Recording Registry as culturally and historically significant. Village People also had other hits such as “In The Navy” and “Go West,” and they appeared in the 1980 comedy film *Can’t Stop The Music*. Willis’s performances often saw him adopting various costumes, including those of an admiral and an athlete.

“YMCA” has become an anthem embraced by diverse audiences, particularly within the LGBTQ+ community, despite Willis previously stating that the song was not originally intended to carry such connotations. Over the years, the track has taken on new social and cultural meanings beyond its initial disco roots.

The song’s association with former US President Donald Trump brought renewed attention to Village People in recent years. Trump used “YMCA” during his 2020 re-election campaign, which ended in defeat, and again during his successful 2024 campaign. Willis and other band members had expressed discomfort with Trump’s use of the music, initially issuing a cease and desist letter in 2020. Willis himself stated at the time that neither he nor the band endorsed Trump and requested that their music not be played at his rallies.

Despite these objections, a lineup featuring Willis performed at events surrounding Trump’s January 2025 inauguration. This move was met with some division, as former Village People member Jim Newman stated on social media that the original band would never perform at Trump events. Trump later paid tribute to Willis on social media, describing him as “a great and happy guy” who appreciated the use of Village People’s music at his rallies.

Victor Willis’s legacy as a key figure in disco music and popular culture endures, marked by his distinctive voice and memorable stage personas that helped define an era. His passing has been met with expressions of sympathy from fans and fellow artists worldwide.