Victor Willis, the original lead singer and co-founder of Village People, has died at 74 following a short but aggressive illness, the group announced in a public statement.

Willis became one of disco’s most recognizable voices in the late 1970s, helping shape the sound and image of Village People during the group’s rise to international fame. Known for performing in costume as a police officer and naval officer, he brought a theatrical presence to songs that became fixtures of pop culture.

He co-wrote several of the group’s best-known tracks, including Y.M.C.A., Macho Man, and In the Navy. Those songs moved far beyond the disco era, continuing to appear at parties, sporting events, and public gatherings for decades.

Willis left the group after its first run of success and later returned in 2017. His career also included legal efforts to reclaim rights connected to his songwriting work.

His death closes a major chapter in disco history and in the story of one of music’s most recognizable pop groups.