Village People will be coming to celebrate their 40th anniversary at the Victory Theatre on October 9, 2020. Village People is the greatest disco group in the world. Their music is part of the international songbook. The debut album, released in 1977, featured the hit singles “San Francisco (You Got Me)” and “In Hollywood (Everybody’s A Star).”
Village People at that time however was simply Victor Willis with use of session singers. Eventually a group of guys were assembled around him to perform on American Bandstand. Thus began the creation of Village People. The guys were soon an international phenomenon with release of the second album titled Macho Man, once again recorded by Victor Willis with use of session singers. Auditions were held for performers to join Victor however prior to the release of the Macho Man album and many answered the call. Village People were finally a bona fide group.
Next was the five-time platinum album Cruisin which featured the blockbuster hit “Y.M.C.A.” After that was the Go West album, and finally Live and Sleazy. Victor Willis then exited the group but not before leaving them with such smash hits as “Y.M.C.A” “Macho Man” “Go West” “In the Navy” “Magic Night” and “Milk Shake.” With Victor’s departure, the hit era of Village People was over, and so was the disco genre in general. The group soon disbanded.
Over the years, various renditions of Village People (for purposes of live performances) have consistently toured the world since the mid-l 980s with use of various replacement lead singers, and characters.
As the 40th anniversary of the group’s founding neared, Victor Willis who was Village People before Village People even existed returned with a fresh re-boot of the group. His powerful and distinctive voice is known the world-over on all the group’s hits. Now, the group (along with their live band) once again stage world class Village People performances.
Village People are: Victor Willis (original lead singer, co-founder and writer of all the biggest hits); Angel Morales (Native American); Chad Freeman (Cowboy); James Lee (G.I.); Jeffrey “J.J.” Lippold (Leatherman); and James Kwong (Construction Worker).
Tickets go onsale June 19 and prices start at $39. Tickets will be available at the Ford Center ticket office and Ticketmaster.com. Please note that temporarily, the Ford Center ticket office is only open Monday, Wednesday and Friday from noon – 5pm.
