'YMCA' myth star and eternal disco king Victor Willis dies…Trump mourns

'YMCA' myth star and disco king passes away

Victor Willis, the lead singer of the group 'Village People', the epicenter of the disco craze that shook the world in the 1970s, has died at age 74. On May 1 (local time), according to major foreign media outlets, his wife said via the official social media account, "My husband passed away from a brief but fatal illness," expressing her profound grief.

Born out of New York, 'Village People' burst onto the pop scene like a comet with the single 'San Francisco', released in Britain in 1977. It then expanded its stage to the U.S. mainland in 1978, kicking off a run of mega hits that will live on in the history of popular music.

A masterwork that transcends the era, bridging generations

Riding the wave of explosive disco fever, they poured out some of the most intense dance anthems in pop history, including 'YMCA', 'Macho Man', and 'Go West'. Among them, 'YMCA', an immortal hit that triggers group singalongs across the world, is an era icon that infused YMCA community center culture across the United States with a buoyant rhythm and lyrics.

Now, nearing half a century since its release, the song has once again grabbed the spotlight as a 'theme song' adopted to symbolize the campaign rallies of 'Donald Trump', the former president of the United States. During the 2020 presidential election, Trump showcased his signature performance of waving both arms to the song's distinctive beat, drawing enormous energy from his supporters.

Pop's legacy echoing in the political arena: Trump's mourning

Upon news of Willis's death, former President Trump immediately expressed his deep condolences through his social media 'Truth Social'. He recalled, "He was a great person with a great, positive energy—someone who genuinely enjoyed it when 'YMCA' played at my rallies," and added, "Many artists wanted to join our rallies, where record-breaking crowds gather, but 'Victor Willis' and 'Village People' walked with us from the very starting point. From now on, every time this song plays, we will remember him forever," sharing his heartfelt feelings.