 |
Village PeopleAmerican pop group
Date of Birth: 01.01.1977
Country:  USA |
Content:
- The History and Evolution of Village People
- Rise to Fame (1978-1979)
- Member Changes and Musical Evolution (1979-1985)
- Hiatus and Reinvention (1987-1994)
- Continued Success and Collaborations (1994-2017)
- Victor Willis' Legal Victory and Return (2007-2017)
- Current Status (2018-Present)
The History and Evolution of Village People
Formation and Line-up (1977-1979)The name "Village People" is a nod to Manhattan's Greenwich Village, a neighborhood known for its vibrant LGBTQ+ community. The band members embodied fantasy archetypes, donning costumes of a policeman, cowboy, Indian, biker, construction worker, and Navy sailor.
The group's inception in 1977 was orchestrated by French producers Jacques Morali and Henri Belolo, along with singer Victor Willis. After receiving a demo tape from Willis, they enlisted him as the lead vocalist. Morali composed the music, while Phil Hurtt and Peter Whitehead penned the lyrics for their debut album.
As the record gained traction, Morali sought dancers for club performances and video shoots. Philip Rose joined as the Indian, followed by Alex Briley as the sailor. Mark Mussler, Dave Forrest, and Lee Mouton completed the ensemble as the construction worker, cowboy, and biker, respectively.
Rise to Fame (1978-1979)
Village People's self-titled debut album and its hit singles, "Macho Man" and "Y.M.C.A.," propelled them to international acclaim. The band toured North America and performed for military audiences, with their iconic costumes and energetic choreography captivating audiences.
"In the Navy" became a recruitment anthem, with the music video filmed with the Navy's permission on the San Diego naval base.
Member Changes and Musical Evolution (1979-1985)
Victor Willis departed to pursue his solo project, Discoland, while Ray Simpson took over lead vocals. Together, they recorded the album "Live & Sleazy."
Amid declining disco popularity, Morali and Belolo revamped the band's image and produced the album "Renaissance" in 1981. Despite critical acclaim, it failed to gain commercial success. Jeff Olson joined as the new cowboy.
Willis rejoined briefly for the album "Fox on the Box" in 1982, released as "In the Street" in the US. After the departure of Simpson and Forrest, the band struggled to regain their previous momentum. The disco-infused "Sex Over the Phone" in 1985 was a commercial failure.
Hiatus and Reinvention (1987-1994)
After a two-year hiatus, Village People regrouped in 1987 with Randy Jones, Dave Forrest, Philip Rose, Glenn Hughes, Ray Simpson, and Alex Briley. They formed Sixuvus Ltd, a company that licensed and managed the band's affairs.
The 1990s saw a resurgence of popularity, with the band performing for major events such as the Rugby League Grand Final in Sydney and the MTV Movie Awards. The passing of Jacques Morali in 1991 due to AIDS complications cast a somber shadow over the group.
Continued Success and Collaborations (1994-2017)
In 1994, Village People collaborated with the German soccer team on the World Cup anthem "Far Away in America." Glenn Hughes left the band the following year, replaced by Eric Anzalone. They also contributed to the soundtrack of the film "Down Periscope."
The 2000s brought new singles like "Gunbalanya" and "Loveship." Glenn Hughes passed away from lung cancer in 2001, and Village People toured with Cher on her farewell tour.
Victor Willis' Legal Victory and Return (2007-2017)
Victor Willis won a legal battle in 2012, regaining songwriting credits and royalties for songs he co-wrote. He rejoined Village People in 2017, securing the rights and license to the band's name and characters.
Current Status (2018-Present)
Village People continue to perform globally, maintaining their signature costumes and beloved character archetypes. They have released two Christmas albums, "A Village People Christmas" and "Magical Christmas."
In 2020, Victor Willis requested President Donald Trump to refrain from using Village People's music at political rallies.
The band remains active, collaborating with artists like Dorian Electra on songs advocating for LGBTQ+ issues. They maintain a website and an Instagram account, sharing concert updates and engaging with their loyal fan base.
