Veteran members of the hit ’70s disco act Village People are battling for their professional lives — and their outlandish outfits…
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The group’s original cop, Victor Willis, was replaced by Ray Simpson (pictured) after quitting the band in 1979. That was right before the Village People joined
Bruce Jenner to star in the big-screen bomb "Can't Stop the Music" Victor went on to
a stint in rehab and a brief marriage
to "Cosby Show" wife Phylicia Rashad, before deciding to start a disco comeback.
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The singing star snagged the rights to the band’s name in 2017. Victor also renegotiated his songwriting credits for hits like "YMCA," "Macho Man," and "In the Navy." He then hit the road with an all-new crew of performers dressing as the classic Village characters, issuing "imposter alerts" against his old bandmates.
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The Kings of Disco (seen here in 2015) also use social media to warn fans that the original members aren't participating in shows now billed as the Village People. “He's taking on 40 years of a well-oiled brand and 40 years of a fan base,” said Felipe. “The outrage is, he is replacing all of us.”
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Sadly, this current battle of the disco bands is being waged without Glenn Hughes. The band's original leather-clad biker, who also managed the act for years, passed away from lung cancer in 2001. Randy Jones, who served as the Village People's original cowboy, performs as a solo act.
Photo credit: Getty Images
The group’s original cop, Victor Willis, was replaced by Ray Simpson (pictured) after quitting the band in 1979. That was right before the Village People joined
Bruce Jenner to star in the big-screen bomb "Can't Stop the Music" Victor went on to
a stint in rehab and a brief marriage
to "Cosby Show" wife Phylicia Rashad, before deciding to start a disco comeback.
Photo credit: Getty Images
The singing star snagged the rights to the band’s name in 2017. Victor also renegotiated his songwriting credits for hits like "YMCA," "Macho Man," and "In the Navy." He then hit the road with an all-new crew of performers dressing as the classic Village characters, issuing "imposter alerts" against his old bandmates.
Photo credit: Getty Images
The Kings of Disco (seen here in 2015) also use social media to warn fans that the original members aren't participating in shows now billed as the Village People. “He's taking on 40 years of a well-oiled brand and 40 years of a fan base,” said Felipe. “The outrage is, he is replacing all of us.”
Photo credit: Getty Images
Sadly, this current battle of the disco bands is being waged without Glenn Hughes. The band's original leather-clad biker, who also managed the act for years, passed away from lung cancer in 2001. Randy Jones, who served as the Village People's original cowboy, performs as a solo act.
Photo credit: Getty Images
