A Look at Village People’s Billboard Chart Legacy: ‘Macho Man,’ ‘Y.M.C.A.,’ ‘In the Navy’ & More
"Victor Willis’ talent and music were timeless," longtime promoter Howard Rosen tells Billboard after news of the singer's death broke.
Black News 
Among the prominence of joyous disco on Billboard’s charts in the 1970s, Village People scored massive hits that continue to move fans of all ages. Meanwhile, the act is still sending new music onto rankings, a half-century after its first chart appearance.
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As previously reported, Victor Willis, the longtime lead singer and frontman of the costumed group, and cowriter of its enduring anthems “Macho Man,” “Y.M.C.A.” and “In the Navy,” died Tuesday (June 30) at age 74 following a brief illness, according to a post on Village People’s Facebook page. Willis famously performed as both a police and naval officer in the act.
Village People first reached Billboard’s rankings in July 1977, with their self-titled project crowning Dance Club Songs (thanks to its four cuts) for seven weeks. The set entered the Billboard 200 that October and charted for 86 weeks through 1979, reaching No. 54.
1978 follow-up Macho Man became Village People’s first top 40 Billboard 200 entry, rising to No. 24 in September 1978 and brought the group its first Billboard Hot 100 charted single: The title track hit No. 25 the same month.
Also released in 1978, Cruisin’ gave the group both its first top 10 on the Billboard 200 (No. 3) and Hot 100, as “Y.M.C.A.” danced to No. 2 the following February.
In 1979, Village People notched their second top 10s on each chart: Go West (No. 8) and “In the Navy” (No. 3). The album also yielded the No. 45 Hot 100 classic “Go West” (which Pet Shop Boys covered for a Dance Club Songs No. 1 in 1993).
The act also achieved its fourth top 40 Billboard 200 title in 1979, the concert set Live and Sleazy (No. 32).
The group’s totals: Seven entries on the Billboard 200, including two top 10s among four top 40 placements, and five visits to the Hot 100, including two top 10s among three top 40 hits.
Village People’s beloved ‘70s songs have continued to shine on — and top — Billboard’s charts this decade, with the group also earning its first four Adult Contemporary entries from 2020 through this week, via new recordings: “If You Believe” (No. 25, 2020); “Magic Christmas” (No. 13, 2022); “Goddess of Love” (No. 20, 2024); and “Disco Star,” which debuts on the latest, July 4-dated survey at No. 28.
Howard Rosen, president/CEO of Howard Rosen Promotion, is promoting “Disco Star” to radio, continuing a history of helping expose the group’s releases. “I had the privilege of being involved with Village People when I was the senior vp of promotion at Casablanca Records,” he tells Billboard, noting that he worked all of their top 40 Hot 100 hits. “Victor Willis’ talent and music were timeless. Village People’s live performances were legendary, and their fan base continues to grow generation after generation.”
With “Disco Star” beginning its run, “This is apropos,” Rosen adds, as “Victor Willis was truly a disco star.”
