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YMCA Co-Writer Victor Willis Dies at 74
1 Jul
Summary
- Village People singer Victor Willis passed away on June 30, 2026.
- He co-wrote iconic disco hits like YMCA and Macho Man.
- Willis battled drug use and legal issues for decades.
Victor Willis, the influential co-writer and lead singer of the Village People, passed away on June 30, 2026, at the age of 74. His death followed a brief and aggressive illness. Willis was instrumental in creating some of the disco era's most recognizable songs, including 'YMCA' and 'Macho Man,' which achieved global No. 1 status.
Born in Texas on July 1, 1951, Willis began his career in music on Broadway and met his first wife, Phylicia Rashad, during his time in the musical 'The Wiz.' He was discovered by producers Jacques Morali and Henri Belolo, who envisioned a disco group embodying American stereotypes.
Following the success of the Village People, Willis left the group in 1980 and subsequently faced decades of substance abuse and legal challenges. He had a complex relationship with Donald Trump's use of 'YMCA' in political campaigns, initially approving and later retracting support before re-endorsing its use.
Willis returned to the Village People intermittently and, in 2015, successfully won 50% ownership of 13 of their songs, including 'YMCA,' after a copyright lawsuit. His contribution to music was recognized in 2020 when 'YMCA' was added to the U.S. Library of Congress's National Recording Registry.
