VICTOR WILLIS, VILLAGE PEOPLE LEAD SINGER, DIES AGED 75

Victor Willis, lead singer of Village People, has died at the age of 75. The band announced his death on social media on Monday 30 June 2026, stating that he passed following "a short but aggressive illness". The band requested privacy regarding the circumstances of his death. Willis was a founding member of the disco group.

Village People formed in the late 1970s after Can't Stop Productions, a production house with existing success in Europe, sought to expand into the American market. The company discovered Willis and released the first Village People album, which became a hit. Following this success, the band recruited dancers to perform alongside Willis on the club circuit. The group went on to record several hit songs, including "Y.M.C.A", "Go West" and "In The Navy".

The announcement marks the loss of a central figure in one of the most recognisable bands of the disco era. Village People achieved significant commercial success during the late 1970s and 1980s. The band's legacy in popular music and dance culture continues to be celebrated worldwide.