NEW YORK, NY – The Village People announced today that they have kicked out Victor Willis who took on the role of the cop in the group. That’s the story today in a satire piece that is going viral as real news, and many are believing it. It’s not true.
“While it goes without saying the Village People support the Black Lives Matter movement, their appearance at last year’s Riot Fest should be a clear indicator on their views of the police state,” the story’s mock quote read. “Accordingly, the group has informed Mister Willis that his services in the group were no longer needed. While he offered to take on a new persona, we felt his history as a cop disqualified from further participation with the group. ACAB.”
Willis helped bring the band to the national stage and was the lead singer in most of the group’s hit songs, he was, in fact, the face of the Village People during their heyday. He left the band years ago but retains 50% of the rights to the band’s hit songs.
He returned to the band in 2017. Lately, Willis has gone against President Donald J. Trump for the use of his songs Macho Man and YMCA at the President’s rallies.
“If Trump orders the U.S. military to fire on his own citizens (on U.S. soil), Americans will rise up in such numbers outside of the White House that he might be forced out of office prior to the election. Don’t do it Mr. President! And I ask that you no longer use any of my music at your rallies especially “Y.M.C.A.” and “Macho Man.” Sorry, but I can no longer look the other way,” Willis wrote to Trump.
The satire story does raise questions. What will become of Willis’ onstage persona as a police officer now that protesters are targeting anything that bears resemblance to law enforcement?
Willis nor the band have made any public statement yet as to the fate of Willis’ character. A police officer has been a prominent part of the band since its inception. Sometimes Willis’ role is of a U.S. Navy officer.