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The Village People Biography

Profession Composer, Actor

Fast Facts

  • Had six of their albums reach gold status and four albums reach platinum status
  • Hold the Guinness World Record for largest crowd to do the Y․M․C․A․ dance at once, which they achieved in December 2008 in front of 40,000 fans
  • Won the American Music Award for Favorite Musical Group in 1979
  • Their 1978 and 1979 albums were certified platinum by the RIAA
  • The original members of the group were Victor Willis as the Cop, Felipe Rose as the Native American, Alex Briley as the GI, Lee Mouton as the Biker, Mark Mussler as the Construction Worker, and David Forrest as the Cowboy
  • Formed in 1977 by Jacques Morali and Henri Belolo in New York City
  • Peter Whitehead and Phil Hurtt were songwriters for the group during their early years and wrote many of the songs on their first album
  • Other members over the years have included Ray Simpson, Eric Anzalone, Jim Newman, Bill Whitefield, Randy Jones, Glenn Hughes, and Ray Stephens
  • Recognized for their costumed personas, among which include a Native American, a soldier, a construction worker, a cowboy and a leatherman
  • Appeared in the 1980 film "Can't Stop the Music," which is known for winning the first Worst Picture Golden Raspberry Award
  • Best known as a disco music group who recorded the hit songs "Y․M․C․A․," "Macho Man," and "In the Navy․"
  • The name 'Village People' is a reference to New York City's Greenwich Village
  • The group has been featured and parodied in "Married․․․with Children," "That '70s Show," and "Despicable Me 2," among others