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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.
Seating was horrible. People standing up with their cell phones made it difficult to see the performers. There should have been a standing room area for people who wanted to dance or video the performance.
A wonderful performance. These performers put on their A-Game. Very classy ending - when the lights came up they remained on stage so all of their fans could shake their hands. Impressive!
The Village People show was great! The original "Policeman ", Willis, still can bring it on. Each and every singer had beautiful voices and performances were enjoyed with all the great memorable songs.
Found out after arrival there was a meet and greet. Not aware of this and would have been nice to know. Sound system was horrible. cutting in and out making it difficult to hear band. Venue was very poorly organized.
The venue that the concert was held has no seating. For people with disabilities, they were forced to come early and sit in the few seats that were available in a patio behind the venue. This is a big negative and took away from the concert itself which was pretty good.
Enjoyed seeing the group but the sound was terrible. It was muffled and my party couldn't understand what they were saying
Saw them in ac. Sorry to say. It’s over for village people. Was not entertaining. We stayed. A good 10-15 percent walked out early. Took my kids. We love ymca. It was an experience but would not recommend.
Show was not worth the price of the ticket. Only sang for less than an hour and only the lead singer sings. The other guys just stand behind him. They look more like strippers then entertainers. No energy in the show at all. Waste of time and money
I know that the group disbanded decades ago. However, they brought back Victor Willis, an original from the 70s. He tried to pull it together, but the show lasted only 60 minutes (no curtain call). It wasn't horrible but lacked enthusiasm and connection to the audience. Not a great experience overall.
Waiting to get into the venue was a mess. Once in, the fun began. Village People lived up to expectations.
When you sell a ticket with a seat assigned there should be a seat. I would not have purchased 4 tickets standing only.
Rent a doorman didn’t have a clue. Ticket holders were sent everywhere to check in. People cutting in line. Tickets said 10PM. It was closer to 10:45. Minimal about of songs and out of the event by 12:10. Expensive poorly run event. Bad experience. Afraid to attend another event.
FANTASTIC! Great concert. Everyone did an awesome job!
I had gotten tix then sorta regretted it. Nobody wanted to go. And I admit I thought it was gonna be cheesy. But to my surprise it was fantastic. The TRAMPS were vocally on point... rose Royce were great... sister sledge (even though Debbie was missing) was great and played a full set with a band (the only act with a band) and really to my biggest surprise the village people were Great! I saw them like 20 yrs ago and they still got it! Overall it was a really great show..3 hours of nonstop fun
This revisit to the past only proves you can't go back again
All in all it was a great show. The only thing was I wished it had more artists. I go to the other shows and there is always so maybe other groups.
The venue was small and I was expecting the seats I got to be far back. I was so close to them. The whole show was fun and energetic.
The concert was a lively, upbeat and entertaining. It brought back many memories and the current set of singers with a couple of the original performers was well done.
nice..beautiful but only 1.h.15min show...is a little short ......♡.
You can never get tired of the Village People. Their music will live on. I'm not sure if they have any of the original members left but with the exception of one of them, they are very entertaining. They sing all of their big hits and several other covers. Their opener, by the Brothers Johnson, Stomp was great. It was an older crowd which probably justified an afternoon show. The crowd was mostly calm for most of the show. But the Village People urged everyone to get up for the last two songs. It was nice to see the group finally willing to party. Of course YMCA was the last song and they taught us the proper way to spell out the letters.
