All articles tagged with #ymca
Two groups of Minnesota YMCA campers (15 people total) were stranded in remote Ontario near the US-Canada border due to rapidly changing wildfires; they were rescued—one group by plane and the other by helicopter—and are safe and returning to Minnesota, as officials report wildfires burning across northeastern Minnesota.
Victor Willis, a founding member and longtime lead singer of the Village People, has died at 74, his wife said, after a short illness, just before his 75th birthday. Willis helped form the group in 1977 with Jacques Morali and co-wrote hits like Macho Man, YMCA, In the Navy, and Go West; he left the band in 1979 but later reclaimed Village People master recordings in 2012 and rejoined the group in 2017.
Victor Willis, the Village People’s frontman and co-writer of disco hits like YMCA and Macho Man, died at 74 after a short illness, per his wife. Willis helped define disco’s inclusive, flamboyant era with the group’s iconic costumes, led the act through its peak years, and later navigated rights battles before briefly reuniting with the band from 2017 to 2023, leaving a lasting legacy—most notably YMCA, which remains a cultural touchstone and was preserved by the Library of Congress.
Victor Willis, the frontman who helped define the Village People’s disco era with Y.M.C.A. and Macho Man, died June 30 at 74 after a brief illness. He co-wrote the group’s signature hits, steered through lineup changes and legal battles, and later rejoined the band; Y.M.C.A. remains a lasting cultural touchstone.
Victor Willis, Village People frontman famed for YMCA and Macho Man, died at 74 after a short illness, the band announced. The piece traces his rise to disco stardom, his complex stance on YMCA as a gay anthem, his long battle with addiction and legal issues, and his lasting influence on pop culture, including song ownership battles and YMCA’s preservation by the Library of Congress.
Victor Willis, 74, the Village People's original lead singer and co-writer of YMCA, died after a short but aggressive illness, the band announced. Willis helped form the disco group, left in 1979 and re-formed it in 2017; President Donald Trump paid tribute, calling him a 'great and happy guy' and praising YMCA's enduring appeal, including its use at rallies.
Victor Willis, the founding Village People lead singer and co-writer of YMCA, Macho Man and In the Navy, died at 74 after a short illness, announced by the group. Willis helped launch Village People with Jacques Morali in the late 1970s, turning a flamboyant disco concept into a string of pop-culture defining hits. He left and rejoined the group over the years, won a landmark 2012 Copyright Act ruling reclaiming his work, and later contributed to new projects, including a 2018 Christmas album. YMCA has since been celebrated by the Library of Congress and inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.
Victor Willis, the frontman and primary songwriter behind the Village People, has died at 74, passing on June 30, 2026; he led hits such as YMCA, Go West and In The Navy, left the group in 1980 amid copyright disputes, briefly returned in 2017 and even performed at President Trump's 2025 inauguration; his death was announced by the band's social media following a short illness.
Makenzi Nichole Kern, known as Kenz, 26, died June 8, 2026 from health complications during a celebratory trip to St. Barthelemy, two days after her 26th birthday. A Council Bluffs, Iowa native who graduated from Lewis Central High School in 2018 and Iowa State University in 2022 with a degree in Human Development and Family Studies, she worked at the YMCA of Greater Omaha as a Youth and Family Director and later as Membership Director for the Armbrust Branch. Loved for her humor, generosity, and love of water, she is survived by her mother Teri Deitchler, father Chris Kern, sister Delani Kern, boyfriend Alan Dungan, and step-siblings, with Celebration of Life services pending.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced 500 free World Cup tickets for New Yorkers, allocated to working families with kids, first responders, veterans and military families, distributed through the YMCA chapters across NYC, Long Island, Westchester and Rockland, in partnership with Tunnel to Towers and with Uber support; each ticket includes a free round-trip shuttle to the NY/NJ Stadium.
FIFA announced that the Village People will perform their iconic song 'Y.M.C.A.' at the upcoming World Cup draw in Washington, D.C., which will feature a star-studded entertainment lineup and is linked to political figures including former President Trump, who has a notable association with the song and the event.
Former Village People member David Hodo has responded to the band's founder Victor Willis, who denied that 'Y.M.C.A.' is a "gay anthem." Willis argued that the song's association with gay culture is misguided, while Hodo credited the song's endurance to its dance moves rather than its songwriting. The exchange highlights ongoing tensions between former band members over the song's legacy and the contributions of its creators.
Victor Willis, the lead singer and lyricist of the Village People, has publicly refuted the notion that their hit song "YMCA" is a gay anthem, despite its long-standing association with the LGBTQ community. Willis insists the song was not written with the gay community in mind and has threatened legal action against those who claim otherwise. He clarified that the song's references to the YMCA were based on his experiences in urban areas, not on any illicit activities. Willis also expressed his willingness to allow Donald Trump to use the song at rallies.
Victor Willis, a founding member of the Village People, defended Donald Trump's use of "Y.M.C.A." at campaign rallies, stating that Trump had the necessary BMI license and genuinely enjoyed the song. Willis chose not to withdraw permissions, noting the financial benefits and clarifying that the song is not a "gay anthem," but appeals to a broad audience, including Trump.
Victor Willis, the writer of "YMCA," clarifies that the song is not gay-themed, despite popular belief. He expresses gratitude for Donald Trump's use of the song at rallies, which has reportedly generated millions in revenue. Willis plans to take legal action against those who label the song as a gay anthem, emphasizing that it was inspired by activities at the YMCA unrelated to gay culture.