The Village People

STILL CRUISIN’: THE VILLAGE PEOPLE

Was there EVER a disco group more fun than The Village People? Last time we saw them, they were opening for Cher at the Hollywood Bowl, and a hard act to follow. Members have changed through the years but lead singer/songwriter Victor Willis, 65, is back and they’ve resumed touring. Willis left his successful group in the early 80’s and wrestled with a drug problem on the streets of San Francisco, (In his heyday he was married to Phylicia Rashad!) He cleaned up in 2007 and eventually his beloved “Cop” returned to the group. New members include Chad Freeman (Cowboy,) James Kwong (construction worker) Angel Morales (Indian) and JJ Lippold (Leather Man.)

Photo Credit: BACKGRID-USA
Above: The Village People at a London TV station

ONE-MAN VERSION OF THE VILLAGE PEOPLE

Video via: The WOW Report

We don’t think the audience at the halftime show at the Florida State vs University of Connecticut game at XL Center in Hartford gave this one man show NEARLY enough love. The act is billed as “Christopher from Las Vegas.” Some people don’t know a great thing when they see it.

EX LEAD SINGER VICTOR WILLIS WATCHED FROM CROWD AS THE VILLAGE PEOPLE GOT THEIR STAR ON HOLLYWOOD BLVD

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The Hollywood Walk of Fame attracted a boisterous and eclectic crowd Friday – with many in costume like their favorite characters from The Village People who received a star. The 70’s disco stars still tour- in fact they opened for Cher last time she was in LA. The Indian Felipe Rose (above) was an original group member – “cowboy” Randy Jones and “cop” Victor Willis left the group years ago. The event had a fascinating twist because former lead singer Victor Willis showed up in a fake cop uniform and watched the ceremony from the sidewalk. Later he signed autographs at a Hollywood Blvd store. Victor made more money than anyone in the group because he gets royalties for writing the lyrics to their biggest hits YMCA, Macho Man, and In The Navy. For years he’s battled a raging drug problem (it destroyed his marriage to Phylicia Rashad of The Cosby Show.) Years ago at a low point he was seen selling Phylicia’s castoff clothes on the street in San Francisco. He says he’s clean now. You can see The Village People perform at the LA County Fair.