Lead singer Victor Willis of Village People has passed away at the age of 74

Victor Willis, the distinctive lead singer of American disco group Village People, has passed away at the age of 74 on Monday. The band announced his death themselves through social media.

Willis was the face and voice behind one of the most recognizable acts of the late seventies. As lead singer of Village People, he performed on worldwide hits such as Y.M.C.A. and In the Navy, songs that continue to be played at parties and sporting events around the globe to this day, including in the Netherlands. The group was known for their theatrical costumes and exuberant stage show, with Willis playing the role of a uniformed police officer.

Further details about the circumstances of his death have not been made public at this time. With Willis gone, the music world loses one of the most iconic performers of the disco era, a period that despite initial resistance from the rock community has left a lasting mark on popular music.