Victor Willis, lead singer of the disco group Village People, died on the 30th of last month (local time), his spouse said on Facebook. He was 74.
According to AFP on the 1st, Willis's spouse said on his official Facebook account that "with deep sorrow, I share the news of my husband Victor Willis's death," noting, "Victor passed away from an illness that was brief but rapidly worsened."
Village People formed in New York and debuted in the United Kingdom in 1977 with the single "San Francisco."
They later moved to the United States and released a string of hits starting in 1978, the following year. In the late 1970s, they produced hits including "YMCA," "Go West," "Macho Man," "San Francisco," and "Can't Stop the Music."
Their signature song "YMCA," known for its catchy chorus, features lyrics about community centers run in several U.S. cities by the global nonprofit "Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA)."
The song also drew renewed attention as it was frequently used at U.S. President Donald Trump's rallies.
On social media platform Truth Social, President Trump offered condolences, saying, "A great and happy person who loved playing YMCA at my rallies," and, "My rally crowds were record-breaking, and many singers wanted to join, but Victor and Village People were with us from the very beginning. Every time YMCA plays, we will think of Victor."