• Victor Willis, lead singer of the Village People, has passed away at 74.
• He co-wrote iconic hits like "Y.M.C.A." and "In the Navy."
• The band gained fame for their flamboyant performances aimed at disco's gay audience.
• Willis had a troubled history with addiction but rejoined the band in 2017.
• "Y.M.C.A." became a controversial rallying song during Trump’s presidency.

Victor Willis, the lead singer of the legendary disco group Village People, has died at the age of 74, as announced in a post on his official Facebook page. "Victor passed away on Tuesday June 30, 2026, as a result of a short, but aggressive illness," the post read, expressing profound sadness over his loss, according to BBC.

The Texas-born musician was not only the frontman but also a co-founder of the Village People, known for their significant contributions to the disco genre with hits such as "Y.M.C.A.," "In the Navy," and "Macho Man." These songs became staples on dance floors around the world during the late 1970s, with the band emerging as a pop culture phenomenon, particularly appealing to the LGBTQ community, reports Channel News Asia and South China Morning Post.

Willis had a tumultuous journey that included leaving the group in 1980 and battling drug addiction, resulting in a plea deal over cocaine possession in 2006. However, he made a notable return to the band in 2017 after a legal victory that allowed him to reclaim partial ownership of several of the band's hits, according to CBS News and Bangkok Post.

The use of "Y.M.C.A." at rallies for former President Trump sparked debates regarding its association with right-wing politics, even as Willis stated he never endorsed the president. "Let's see what he's going to do moving forward and if he does things to restrict LGBTQ rights, Village People will be the first to speak out," he emphasized during an event in 2025, illustrating the complexity of the song's legacy, as reported by South China Morning Post and BBC.