Victor Willis, the frontman of the Village People, one of Donald Trump’s favorite bands, has died. He was 74.

Willis died after a “short, aggressive illness,” according to Village People’s official Facebook page.

“We are profoundly sad to announce the death of Victor Willis, lead singer of Village People,” wrote the band. “Victor passed on Monday June 30, 2026 of a short but aggressive illness. Privacy is requested.”

Born on July 1, 1951, in Dallas, Willis was a founding member and lead singer of Village People.

The hugely successful disco band has been making music for decades. Its biggest hits include “YMCA,” “Macho Man,” “Go West” and “In the Navy.” All were global sensations, particularly “YMCA,” which has been a queer anthem for decades although its true meaning has been the subject of heated debate.

RELATED: Trump Celebrity Supporters: Famous Folks In Favor Of The 47th President

The group was built around Willis and featured the six members in various outfits. Willis was a cop who was teamed with singers and dancers dressed as a construction worker, a cowboy, a leather-clad biker, a military man and a stereotyped Native American. Village People found moderate success in the U.S. and Europe with its self-titled 1977 debut LP but would break out with its 1978 follow-up Macho Man.

Its title track was a smash in American discos and went Top 10 Down Under, with the album going gold. Third LP Cruisin’ featured the international smash single “Y.M.C.A.,” which topped charts around the world and reached No. 2 in the U.S. The followed with another big global hit with “In the Navy” from 1979’s Go West, which gave the group a third consecutive U.S. platinum album for Neil Bogart’s Casablanca Records.

The group’s commercial fortunes waned as the 1980s dawned, and Willis left the band in 1983. But he continued to make music and subsequently returned to Village People in 2017 following years of legal battles over royalties.

In recent years, Village People has attracted attention due to Donald Trump and his famous “YMCA” jig. The band is one of Trump’s favorites.

Willis initially demanded that Trump not use Village People music but then reversed, and the band performed at the Turning Point USA inaugural ball in celebration of his second inauguration last year.

Erik Pedersen contributed to this report.