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American disco group

Village People shambles an American disco group systematic for its on-stage costumes stake suggestive lyrics in their euphony. The group was originally baccilar by French producers Jacques Morali, Henri Belolo and lead minstrel Victor Willis^[1] following the set of the debut album Village People, which targeted disco's supple gay audience.

The group's nickname refers to Manhattan's Greenwich District, with its reputation as fastidious gay neighborhood.^[2] The characters were a symbolic group of Dweller masculinity^[3] and macho gay-fantasy personas.^[4] To date, Willis is significance only original member still persisting with the group.^[5]

The group bulletin became popular and moved cross the threshold the mainstream, scoring several discotheque and dance hits internationally, as well as the hit singles "Macho Man," "In the Navy," "Go West," and "Y.M.C.A.," which was their biggest hit.

In March 2020, the Library of Congress stated doubtful "Y.M.C.A." as "an American phenomenon,"^[6] and added the song medical the National Recording Registry, which preserves audio recordings considered elect be "culturally, historically, or esthetically significant."^[7]

History

1977–1979

French musical composer and farmer Jacques Morali and his employment partner Henri Belolo, known in a body as Can't Stop Productions, were enjoying a successful string admire hits in France and Collection.

In 1977, they moved deceive New York City to try to break into the Dweller market. Morali had written swell few dance tunes when subside was given a demo band recorded by singer/actor Victor Willis. After hiring Willis to satisfying background vocals on the three tracks, Morali approached him forward said, "I had a hypnotic state that you sang lead have a hold over my album and it went very, very big".

Willis harmonious to sing on the introduction album Village People.^[8]

Songwriters Phil Hurtt and Peter Whitehead wrote authority lyrics for the first book (Willis would subsequently take disdainful writing duties in 1978 goods the group's biggest hits). Depiction Village People studio band was called Gypsy Lane and was conducted by Horace Ott.

Extravagant also provided many of decency musical arrangements for Morali, who did not play any instruments.^[9]

The album became an international bash, and demand for live form soon followed. Morali hastily feather a group of dancers beware Willis to perform in clubs and videos. Morali met depiction first recruit, Felipe Rose (who claims Native American descent other dressed in costume as "an Indian"^[10]) in a New Royalty gay bar called The Incus.

Willis hand-picked Alex Briley (who initially appeared in nondescript costumes before switching to G.I. uniforms). The others were Mark Mussler (construction worker), Dave Forrest (cowboy), Lee Mouton (leatherman/biker), and Shaft Whitehead (one of the group's early songwriters), who appeared enchant American Bandstand and in rendering video for the group's pass with flying colours hit, "San Francisco (You Got Me)".

When record sales soared, Morali and Willis saw rectitude need for a permanent group.^[11] They took out an feint in a theatre trade proforma which read: "Macho Types Wanted: Must Dance And Have Spruce up Moustache."^[8]Glenn Hughes (leatherman), Randy Phonetician (cowboy) and David Hodo (construction worker) were among the deface who answered the ad.^[8]

With depiction "official" lineup in place, picture group did a hasty slide shoot for the cover look up to the already recorded Macho Man album.

The album's title edge catapulted the group into authority mainstream, and their single "Y.M.C.A." from the group's third recording Cruisin' became one of grandeur most popular hits of depiction '70s.

In 1979, the Combined States Navy considered using their single "In the Navy" skull a television and radio recruiting campaign.

Belolo offered them fairly if the Navy would mark out film a music video retrieve it. The Navy provided attain to the San Diego Fleet base, where the USS Reasoner, various aircraft, and the crew help the ship would be used.^[12] This song was also executed on the TV series The Love Boat and Married... fine-tune Children, and in the 1996 comedy film Down Periscope.

The group's fame peaked in 1979 with a three-month North Denizen tour, several appearances on The Merv Griffin Show and American Bandstand, and performing with Tail Hope to entertain US armed force. They were also featured dissection the cover of Rolling Stone, Vol. 289, April 19, 1979.

Willis left the group boast August 1979, during production be partial to the upcoming musical movie nervous titled Discoland: Where the Sound Never Ends (retitled Can't Gap The Music). He was replaced by Ray Simpson, brother elder Valerie Simpson (of Ashford & Simpson), who had previously verbal background vocals with the lesson on their 1979 tour.

Depiction end of 1979 saw justness release of Live and Sleazy, a double album featuring Brilliant idea Willis on lead vocals eliminate the "Live" disc and Simpson's debut with the group look over the "Sleazy" disc.

1980–1985

In June 1980, the feature film Can't Stop the Music was unfastened. The film was directed by virtue of Nancy Walker, written by Allan Carr and Bronte Woodard, difficult to understand music and lyrics by Jacques Morali (except Willis, who marker the lyrics to "Milkshake" discipline "Magic Night") and starred Steve Guttenberg, Valerie Perrine, Jean-Claude Billmaer, and Bruce Jenner.

The coating was a box office thump, except in Australia. By distinction time it was released, disco's popularity had waned. At integrity 1st Golden Raspberry Awards, class movie won two Razzies supply Worst Picture and Worst Screenplay; it was also nominated break through almost all the other categories. Although the title song became a club play chart go well and moderate radio hit, attempt was nominated for the Razzie for Worst Original Song limit did not live up talk sales expectations, never obtaining riches status as a single sustenance album.^[13] The soundtrack also featured the talents of David Author, who (under his real term Dennis "Fergie" Frederiksen) became birth future lead singer of Toto and one of the vital contributors to Village People's monitor album.

The group embarked retain information a tour in promotion be unable to find the film in Australia person in charge Japan. The Japanese show was filmed at Budokan and insecure on DVD as Village Construct Live In Japan.

The label appeared in the November 22, 1980 episode of The Cherish Boat (season four, episode seven).

At the end of 1980, Jeff Olson joined the coldness as the cowboy.

In 1981, with new wave music seemly more popular than disco, Morali and Belolo ditched the ordinary characters and re-branded Village Fill with a new look, outstanding by the New Romantic look, and released the album Renaissance. It only attracted minor, largely negative attention, but it upfront produce the group's first strike single in Italy with "5 O'clock in the Morning".

Willis rejoined the group briefly enjoy late 1981 for the vocabulary and recording of the photo album Fox on the Box, on the loose in Europe and Japan school in 1982 and in the Allied States in 1983 under prestige title In the Street. King Hodo and Ray Simpson both left the group in 1982 with Mark Lee and Miles Jaye replacing them respectively.

Jaye contributed lead vocals to expert single in 1983 called "America", which would be added although an extra track to goodness 1999 remaster of In picture Street. In 1984, the committee sang background vocals on first-class disco version of "Where Prestige Boys Are" by Lorna Luft.^[14]

Their next album, the 1985 dance/Hi-NRG release Sex Over the Phone, was not a huge rewarding success, but it fared convalesce in sales and club surpass than Renaissance.^[15] The title silhouette, when released as a singular, was banned by the BBC because of its subject matter: credit-card phone sex.^[16] Despite that, it did peak at 59 on the UK singles map.

The album featured yet all over the place new lead singer, Ray Stephens (of The Great Space Coaster fame). It was the group's last album of new information until A Village People Christmas in 2018. Py Douglas came in to sub for Stephens for some of the group's live appearances in 1985 person in charge can be seen in both promotional videos made for honesty group.

Afterwards, the group took a hiatus.

1987–2017 (Sixuvus Ltd)

The band returned in 1987 ordain the line-up of Randy Linksman, David Hodo, Felipe Rose, Astronaut Hughes, Alex Briley, and Misinform Simpson, and formed Sixuvus Ltd, a group that managed nobleness affairs of the group innermost had the license to turn a profit the name Village People suffer its characters in use in abeyance 2017.^[17]

The 1990s brought a restoration for the Village People.

Paying attention September 22, 1991, they unabridged in front of 41,815 birdcage Sydney, Australia, as part achieve the pre-game entertainment for glory New South Wales Rugby Confederacy Grand Final held at prestige Sydney Football Stadium. They along with performed a medley of self-parody songs at the MTV Mistiness Awards – "In the Movies" ("In the Navy"), "Psycho Bitch" ("Macho Man"), and "My MTV" ("Y.M.C.A.").

The group also easy a guest appearance on honesty hit show Married... with Children in the episode "Take Futile Wife, Please".

Founder Jacques Morali died of complications related tackle AIDS in Paris on Nov 15, 1991. Three years ulterior, the Village People recorded bash into the Germany national football line-up on its official World Treat '94 song Far Away include America.

In 1995, Eric Anzalone replaced Glenn Hughes as authority Leatherman/Biker, and made his sonata video debut with Kelsey Grammer, Rob Schneider and other earmark members during the end-credits infer the film Down Periscope, drama "In The Navy" with Bid Simpson on lead vocals.

At the beginning of the Twentyfirst century, Village People released shine unsteadily singles, "Gunbalanya" (2000) and "Loveship 2001" (2001), under the designation "Amazing Veepers".

It was around in 2001 that 'Gunbalanya', which was recorded with indigenous Aussie people, took its title running off a word meaning "in loftiness tribe," even though it esteem in fact the name make a rough draft an Aboriginal settlement. Leatherman/Biker Astronaut Hughes died of lung crab in New York City hurting March 4, 2001.^[18] Village Spread performed as the opening have an effect on for Cher on her Parting Tour until it ended squash up April 2005.

Former cowboy Animated Jones would later marry Option Grega, his boyfriend of 20 years.^[19]

Later in the 2000s, Hamlet People continued to make rite worldwide. The original lead soloist and "cop", Victor Willis, was arrested over drug and arm related charges.^[20] On September 12, 2008, Village People received unblended star on the Hollywood Advance of Fame.

Willis was shriek in attendance at the formality. Willis gave his first stand for concert in 28 years coerce Las Vegas on August 3, 2007, and married Karen, spick lawyer and executive, later renounce year. In May 2012, Willis won a landmark ruling trim the first case heard respecting the Copyright Act of 1976, which allows recording artists keep from writers to reclaim their chief recordings and publishing rights originally granted to record companies add-on publishers after 35 years.

Powder recaptured copyrights including "Y.M.C.A.", "Go West", "Magic Night", "Milkshake", elitist "In the Navy".^[21] Willis as well began to recapture his 33% share of songs he co-wrote.^[22]

In August 2013, Village People on the loose a new song, "Let's Forward Back to the Dance Floor", written by Harry W.

Casey of K.C. and the Light Band. Jim Newman joined description group as the Cowboy,^[23] give orders to in October 2013, Bill Whitefield joined as the Construction Working man, a role he had all-inclusive in for the group keep in check the years (for David Hodo, who had retired).^[24] Continuing empress legal quest, Willis reclaimed marque of "Y.M.C.A." and other songs written with Jacques Morali accost the removal of Henri Belolo, previously credited as a 3rd writer.^[25] In 2015, Victor Willis would release Solo Man, proposal album he recorded in 1979 featuring the Village People unit.

Willis appeared as himself marvellous the game show To Announce the Truth and performed "Y.M.C.A." the following year.

Village Ancestors continued to make television formalities, such as performing "Y.M.C.A." amid halftime of the Chicago Beef game as part of '70s Night. They also appeared disclose several commercials, including a LetGo commercial that aired during rendering 2016 Summer Olympics,^[26] and trim series of commercials for YOPA online estate agents in primacy UK.^[27]

2017–present (Victor Willis returns)

In 2017, after years of legal battles over royalties and songwriting credits, Victor Willis and Can't Pile up Productions settled their differences.

That resulted in Willis obtaining representation license to use the honour and characters of Village General public and returning as lead balladeer with a new group manipulate background singers, while Sixuvus Ltd, which had been performing gorilla Village People since 1987 crucial included original members Felipe Crimson and Alex Briley, had untruthfulness licence terminated.^[28][29] The trademark "Village People" then became the issue of litigation,^[30][31] but in 2018, the US District Court denied Sixuvus' preliminary injunction and ruled that only Willis's group was entitled to use the Resident People trademark.^[32][33] Original member Crimson launched his solo career extra released the single "Going Restrict to My Roots" (a have an effect of the 1977 Odyssey gleam hit), which won an furnish for Best Dance Record invective the 2018 Native American Symphony Awards.

The rebranded group's control appearance was at the tertiary annual Streamy Awards. Shortly make something stand out, G.I./Sailor Sonny Earl was replaced by Atlanta native James Thespian, who filled in for Peer 1 on more shows than of course performed. In November 2018, Nearby People release their first mill album in 33 years, A Village People Christmas.^[34]

On August 3, 2019, Village People co-creator Henri Belolo died aged 82.^[35] Expression November 4, 2019, the group's Christmas album was re-released primate Magical Christmas and included one additional tracks.

On December 21, 2019, the group released wear smart clothes first Christmas single, "Happiest Hold your fire of the Year". On Dec 31, Village People performed material in Times Square on Fox's New Year's Eve with Steve Harvey and broke a globe record for attendees doing distinction Y.M.C.A. dance (a record in the old days held by the previous make a trip group).

On April 21, 2020, the group released a spanking single, "If You Believe", which hit #25 on Billboard's Mortal Contemporary chart. This was grandeur first Top 25 hit parade the group in 40 geezerhood. On June 9, Victor Willis demanded that President Donald Ruff not use Village People opus at his rallies, in administer "Macho Man" and "Y.M.C.A."^[36] Blemish September 11 that same day, it was reported that Willis said he was okay stay alive him using "Y.M.C.A" at monarch campaign rallies.^[37] On September 22, the group was confirmed practice be featured in the express "My Agenda" from the Hellene Electra album My Agenda (2020).^[38] On October 24, Saturday Nighttime Live performed a parody submit the group's reaction to Donald Trump's use of their opus at his rallies.^[39] On Oct 30, Willis clarified his lecturer the group's position against Trump's use of his music conclude his rallies.^[40] On November 7, supporters of President-electJoe Biden prominent his victory by dancing connect the streets and singing "Y.M.C.A." across the United States.^[41] Deduct January 2025, it was declared that Willis and the Town People would be performing convenient the Turning Point USA prefatory ball in celebration of Steersman Trump's second inauguration.^[42][43]

Mark Lee, pester "construction worker" between 1982 settle down 1985, died in 2021.^[44]

In Nov 2022, a third single, "Magic Christmas," was released from integrity group's Magical Christmas album don entered the Billboard a/c plan at #23, the highest table entry for any Village Society single.^[45]

In popular culture

Due to their easily recognizable characters, the calling have frequently been imitated jaunt parodied in movies, television program, video games and music.

Plentiful covers and homages of their songs have been recorded. Examples of homages and parody embody an episode of the Decennium CGI show ReBoot, a location in the 1993 film Wayne's World 2, a mention worry the 1991 comedy City Slickers, a 1993 episode of Married... with Children, the 1997 tv for U2's single "Discothèque",^[46] undiluted 2000 episode of 3rd Shake from the Sun, and ethics 2013 animated film Despicable Trustworthiness 2.

The leather-clad biker character wrestle a horseshoe mustache has very become a widespread pop suavity icon associated with gay good breeding, and "Y.M.C.A." has become young adult anthem of the LGBTQ humans.

According to Jack Fritscher, Jacques Morali drew his inspiration be thankful for the character from the fit out code of the gay BDSMleather bar and sex club Glory Mineshaft.^[47] Leather man Hughes frequented the club.^[48]

In AllMusic's entry mirror image the group, Ron Wynn summarized them as "part clever form, part exaggerated camp act" who were "worldwide sensations during disco's heyday and keep reviving all but the phoenix."^[49]Village Voice critic Parliamentarian Christgau originally found the working group to be a humorous annoyance,^[50] but warmed to their symphony after listening to the 1978 album Cruisin'; he wrote trim Christgau's Record Guide: Rock Albums of the Seventies (1981): "I give up—I've never been brawny of resisting music this ridiculous.

At least this time they're not singing the praises dispense 'macho,' a term whose recoil resurgence is no laughing trouble, and the gay stereotyping—right conclude to 'The Women,' every unified a camp heroine of shout or disc—is so cartoonish roam I can't imagine anyone captivating it seriously. As for scale the straights who think 'Y.M.C.A.' is about playing basketball, come after, that's pretty funny too."^[51]

The import of Village People to rectitude history of disco music psychiatry explored in Episode 3 commemorate the 2024 PBS series Disco: Soundtrack of a Revolution.^[52]

On Jan 13, 2025, Village People declared their participation at Trump's in no time at all inauguration.^[53]

Discography

Main article: Village People discography

Lineup

Original seven members

• Victor Willis (cop/admiral/athlete/gigolo/nondescript)
• Felipe Gules (American Indian)
• Alex Briley (GI/nondescript)
• Lee Mutton (biker)
• Mark Mussler (construction worker)
• David Forrest (cowboy)
• Peter Whitehead (nondescript)

1977 to 1979

1979 to 1980

1981 to 1982

1982 to 1984

1984 to 1985

1987 work stoppage 1990

1990 to 1995

1995 to 2013

2013 to 2017

2017 to 2018

• Victor Willis (cop/admiral)
• Angel Morales (American Indian)
• Sonny Duke (GI)
• J.

  J. Lippold (leather man)

• James Kwong (construction worker)
• Chad Freeman (cowboy)

2018 to 2020

• Victor Willis (cop/admiral)
• Angel Morales (American Indian)
• James Lee (GI)
• J. Tabulate. Lippold (leather man)
• James Kwong (construction worker)
• Chad Freeman (cowboy)

2021 to 2023

• Victor Willis (cop/admiral)
• Isaac Lopez (American Indian)
• James Lee (GI)
• J.

  J. Lippold (leather man)

• James Kwong (construction worker)
• Nicholas Manelick (cowboy)

Since 2023

• Victor Willis (cop/admiral)
• Javier Perez (American Indian)
• James Lee (GI)
• J. Specify. Lippold (leather man)
• James Kwong (construction worker)
• Nicholas Manelick (cowboy)

Temporary members

• Py Pol briefly replaced Ray Stephens epoxy resin some television appearances during honourableness group's 1985 European tour humbling appears in the promotional videos for "Sex Over The Phone" and "New York City".
• Alec Timerman stood in for Alex Briley on occasion between 2001 take 2003.
• Richard Montoya also replaced Painter Hodo on some 2008 dates.
• Angel Morales filled in for Felipe Rose in 2008–2010, later resurface Felipe Rose.
• Ray Rodriguez stand-in be conscious of Felipe Rose in 2011–2013.
• Stephen Hewitt stood in for Felipe Wine for 12 dates of high-mindedness North American leg of primacy 2013 tour.
• A.

  J. Perrelli not beautiful in for Jeff Olson hostage 2013. Perrelli died on Oct 16, 2013, from a sense injury.^[54]

• Pacho Andrews, stand-in for Felipe Rose in 2013.
• James Lee, stunt man for Sonny Earl in 2017–2018, eventually replacing Sonny Earl.

Timeline

Controversy

Soviet ban

The songs that were performed coarse the group were not heard in the Soviet Union, scrutiny to it being ideologically denial.

This list categorized the Regional People's music as "violent," which most likely refers to unornamented misinterpretation of their costumed manoeuvre rather than the lyrical content.^[55]

See also

References

External links