Willis rose to worldwide fame as the unique lead singer of Village Individuals, co-writing enduring disco hits together with YMCA, Go West and In The Navy.
Raised in San Francisco, he started singing gospel music in his father’s Baptist church earlier than performing along with his highschool band, working with jazz legend Dizzy Gillespie and constructing a stage profession via productions of Hair, Two Gents Of Verona and The Wiz.
French producer Jacques Morali later recruited Willis to entrance Village Individuals, the place his police officer character grew to become one of many group’s defining pictures. The band’s success made YMCA one of many biggest-selling songs of the disco period, ultimately turning into a fixture at weddings, sporting occasions and political rallies all over the world.
Willis left the group in 1979 earlier than battling despair, substance abuse and authorized troubles.
In 2015, he mentioned: “I acquired very depressed over time. I acquired type of drugged out, as a result of I used to be disenchanted with the best way issues had been and acquired pissed off, and gave up for a bit.”
After overcoming habit, Willis efficiently fought to reclaim a share of the copyrights to Village Individuals’s greatest hits earlier than returning to the group in 2017.
His spouse, Karen Huff-Willis, introduced Willis had died on June 30, 2026, aged 74, following a brief however aggressive sickness.