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For 40 years, the music of Village People has been putting smiles on the faces of fans all around the world. Their hits have become part of the international songbook – and heard in commercials from Pepsi to Wonderful Pistachios. In fact, the iconic Y.M.C.A (along with its dance) is featured at almost every party, wedding, bar mitzvah, and sporting event.
It began in 1977 when producer/composer Jacques Morali, with business partner Henri Belolo, were recording a new album for their group, Ritchie Family, called African Queens. One of the background singers recruited for the album by arranger and conductor Horace Ott was Victor Willis who was performing in the Broadway musical The Wiz. After completing the album, Morali and Belolo again approached Willis – this time about another musical project they were planning.
“I had a dream that you sang lead vocals on an album I produced, and it went very, very big,” Morali told Willis. “I have four tracks. I can’t pay you much right now but if you agree, I’ll make you a star.” Willis agreed.
Those four tracks, San Francisco (You’ve Got Me), In Hollywood (Everyone’s a Star), Fire Island, and Village People were recorded by Willis with professional background singers and released on the debut album Village People in 1977. Essentially, Village People initially was simply Victor Willis. The album quickly rose to the top of the dance charts.
Demand for the “group” to appear in concert and on television shows like American Bandstand and Merv Griffin was great. The only problem ... there was no group! This forced Morali, Belolo and Willis to put together an actual group around Willis and quick.
Village People become an international phenomenon with the release of their second album, Macho Man. Following the release of their third album, Cruisin, they embarked on a worldwide tour. Cher, Madonna and Joan Rivers are among artists who appeared on the bill with Village People everywhere from Las Vegas to Madison Square Garden to Hollywood’s Greek Theatre. Even Michael Jackson shared billing with the group.
With hits like San Francisco/In Hollywood, Macho Man, YMCA, In the Navy and Go West, the group sold more than 100 million records worldwide and earned many awards including the American Music Award-Favorite Musical Group 1979. Village People was featured on the cover of Rolling Stone. Television appearances included a Bob Hope Special, 20/20, American Bandstand, Solid Gold, Soul Train, Midnight Special, and Don Kirshner’s Rock Concert.
Village People hits are featured in dozens of major motion pictures, including Wayne’s World II, Adams Family Values, The Nutty Professor, and Despicable Me 2. The Broadway hit Priscilla: Queen of the Desert features the Village People tune Go West. The songs are also heard in casinos around the world in “Village People Party” slot machines. In September 2008, the group received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Over the years, various renditions of Village People consistently toured the world with several replacement lead singers.
On the 40th anniversary of the group, Willis, the original lead singer, returned. With his powerful and distinctive voice, the party continues with the original “Hot Cop” back at the helm featuring a live band for a world class Village People performance and headline act.
It was a great show and a great venue. Their songs brought back a lot of good memories of the 70s. It was nice to see the original lead singer and drummer. Would definitely see them again. And my guest also thoroughly enjoyed the show
Slurred words, no attractive men. Totally disappointed. Glad there was no encore!
A little disappointing. It was hard to hear what the vocalist was singing. His mic needed to be turned up some, or the instruments turned down.
Sound balance was really bad. Drums and keyboard in the back overpowered singing in the front. More mumbled talking from the lead singer than performing. Very hard to understand anything with the loud pounding on the drum even when the mumbling was going on. First time ever that we left before the concert was over. Not in the habit of bad reviews, but it was that bad.
I had such a great time! They were full of energy and interactive with the audience and at the end of the show the guitar players and drummers talked to you and were not rushing you. They even gave me drum sticks! I highly recommend going to this show. They were everything I thought they would be and more
After getting through security and presenting tickets was told we were being “upgraded” I was excited had purchased front row end seats. They put us center stage, center seats, 5 rows back.
The entrance or security was very nice. I told them my ticket was at will call. The security man walked me to will call. I got my ticket. He said I'd been checked. I got my wrist band. I went to one of the doors. The lady walked me to my row. All was very nice. And very nice show.
We thoroughly enjoyed the all their disco songs besides their hits which included Macho Man, In the Navy, and of course, YMCA. Seating worked out well as everyone as everyone was on the same level. We were all standing for YMCA getting into it with the hand motions.
My husband and I were invited on stage to dance with the village people. It was great.
The music was too loud and poorly mixed. The only singer you could hear was the lead guy, and he strutted around the stage as if he was the only reason they were up there on that stage.
The venue was nice. Was disappointed in the group. They sounded off key at times and their movements jerky. The lead singer moved around like he needed a hip replacement or his feet hurt. Wouldn’t pay money to see them again
A wonderful evening and a throw back to when music was great music. The Village People Sounded Great and Made it Fun!!!! Go see them!
It was a good show. Not awesome, but good. The band played really well & was a nice surprise since I thought they would sing to a recorded track. Hearing Village People history was interesting. The dance contest with guests didn't work for me.
The concert was great. It transported me back to my old days. They played my favorites, invited people on stage to dance, and kept the music coming.
Lackluster performance and a bragging Blowhard singer...I wrote this, I did that.....yawn
A really fun show! Although only the lead is an original, that’s all that matters. He sounds exactly the same! They did all the hits and then some! Go see this show if it comes to your area! Well worth it!
Very well organized show, the Village People brought their own live band. Very entertaining. Awesome dance moves, great performers. A+
Very upset the show was the worst I’ve seen in A.C. The vocals were the worst people where leaving after the first few songs.
First of all, the concert seating is horrible! Chairs packed so closely together that I felt like a sardine traveling in a coach section of an airplane. Also, with no stadium seating, the view was terrible with a tall person or a person who decided to stand through out the concert. Golden Nugget, spend some money and update that show room with stadium seating. Second, the acoustics were awful. The musicians played the music so loud that you could not hear the vocals. Third, the original singer needs to just MC the event and not sing or talk. Maybe he needs to retire now. Playing his songs before he started the Village People meant nothing to me. Have a younger singer with a stronger voice to carry the songs. Very disappointed!!!
the lights they shine into the crowd was way to much, hurt my eyes. could not make out any of the words. would not go to see this show again
