Victor Willis, the founding lead singer of the legendary disco group Village People, has died at 74. He passed away on June 30 after a short but aggressive illness, according to his wife and the band.
Born in Dallas, Texas, Willis rose to fame in 1977 as the group’s original lead vocalist and co-writer of iconic hits including “Y.M.C.A.,” “Macho Man,” “In the Navy,” and “Go West.” After overcoming personal struggles and winning back the rights to many of his songs, he returned to Village People in 2017 and remained the only original member still touring. He is survived by his wife, attorney Karen Willis.