Victor Willis, Village People frontman and 'Y.M.C.A' co-writer, dies aged 74
Key takeaways
- Victor Willis, the lead singer of disco group Village People died on Wednesday, said his spouse.
- By: FRANCE 24 File photo of Victor Willis of the Village People performing during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Official Draw at the John F.
- "It is with profound sadness that I must announce the death of my husband, VICTOR WILLIS.
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Victor Willis, the lead singer of disco group Village People died on Wednesday, said his spouse. He was 74. Willis co-wrote the hit "Y.M.C.A." and was initially against Donald Trump using the song for his campaign rallies but in January 2025 he surprised fans by performing the song, with its signature dance, at Trump's second inauguration.
By: FRANCE 24 File photo of Victor Willis of the Village People performing during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Official Draw at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts taken December 5, 2025. © Kevin Dietsch, AFP Victor Willis, lead singer of the disco group Village People whose hit "Y.M.C.A." became a fixture at rallies for US President Donald Trump, has died, his spouse said in a Facebook post on Wednesday. He was 74.
"It is with profound sadness that I must announce the death of my husband, VICTOR WILLIS. Victor passed away on Tuesday June 30, 2026 as a result of a short, but aggressive illness," the post on Willis's official page said.