Victor Willis and the Legacy of Village People | Rock Music News

Victor Willis, the legendary voice behind Village People’s timeless hits like “Y.M.C.A.” and “In the Navy,” has died at 74 after a brief illness. From Broadway’s The Wiz to founding the iconic disco group in 1977 — known for his unforgettable police uniform — Willis shaped pop culture forever. He left the band in the ‘80s, returned in 2017 after reclaiming his songwriting rights, and even grudgingly embraced Trump’s rally use of “Y.M.C.A.” — a song he once resisted being called a “gay anthem.” His journey mirrors the Village People’s enduring, sometimes controversial, legacy. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/c5c4a58be206981b