Victor Willis, Angel Morales, Chad Freeman, Sonny Earl, J.J. Lippol, James Kwong of Village People (Getty Images)

Village People member Victor Willis has died at the age of 74 following a “short but aggressive illness”, his family has confirmed.

The singer, who was one of the co-founders of the group best known for the song “YMCA”, died on Tuesday, 30 June – one day before his 75th birthday.

His passing was announced on the Village People’s Facebook page in a statement.

It read: “We are profoundly sad to announce the death of Victor Willis, lead singer of Village People.” It added that Willis had a “short but aggressive illness”. The group also requested privacy.

Fans have share tributes in the comments. One said: “What a talented and skilled man that gave joy to millions all over the world. Victor wrote many hits that over the years turned into anthems.”

Another said: “There may never be another like him. Thank you, Victor.”

Village People and Donald Trump

In recent years, Donald Trump has been known to use the song “YMCA” during political rallies. He has also branded it “the gay national anthem“, claiming it “helped” him secure votes from gay people.

However Willis previously denied the song was a gay anthem, saying people needed to “get their minds out of the gutter”. He added that the “false assumptions were damaging to the song”.

Willis even claimed he would “start suing each and every news organisation that falsely refers to ‘YMCA’ [as] a gay anthem”. But then he went on to say he “didn’t mind” that gay people thought of the song as their anthem.

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