Victor Willis, the frontman and founding member of the disco group Village People, has died at the age of 75, multiple outlets report. Sky News and other coverage say his family confirmed the death, describing it as following a “short” and “aggressive” illness. Reports attribute the details to statements provided around the time of his passing. Several sources note that Willis was closely associated with the band’s best-known hit, “YMCA,” including co-writing the song, and that he served as one of its primary voices. The Independent and other outlets also mention that the band requested privacy in connection with his death.
Different reports vary slightly on how long he had been ill and on the wording used to describe it, but they broadly agree on the central facts: Willis dies in his mid-70s, he led Village People, and his family or the band communicated that he had been dealing with an aggressive illness shortly before his death.
