Victor Willis, YMCA Voice, Passes at 74 | US News

Victor Willis, the unforgettable voice behind “YMCA” and “In The Navy,” has died at 74, leaving behind a disco legacy that shaped global culture. As lead singer and co-writer of Village People, he brought iconic characters to life, crafting anthems that still unite generations. Before disco, he dazzled in gospel, jazz, and Broadway, even sharing stages with Dizzy Gillespie and Phylicia Rashad. After leaving Village People, he fought fiercely to reclaim his music rights and quietly pursued solo projects. His songs, especially “YMCA,” remain timeless cultural touchstones, honored by the Grammy Hall of Fame and the Library of Congress — proof that his joyful, unifying sound will never fade. 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/1409e2dab256f9ab