Many people grew up with the music of theVillage People, but Jonathan Belolo literally did.
It was completely surreal, like, What is happening?
That was a little strange to see.
Donald Trump dances with the latest version of the Village People at a rally in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 19.Scott Olson/Getty Images
Trump told him that he noticed Ive been in the group for quite a while.
In turn, Willis said hed written the lyrics to Y.M.C.A.
When we recorded Y.M.C.A., we wanted to record a pop song, Jones says.
As far as Im concerned, we have made music for everybody.
When he saw me and heard the sound of these sleigh bells, he said, What is that?
And someone said, Thats that guy over there dancing.
And he looked up and said, Oh, my God.
There was nothing like me.
Its a very specific concept album about gay life, about LGBTQ values, Jonathan Belolo says.
Its an activist album.
The lyrics are about raising your hands or being who you are in daylight.
Henri was not gay at all.
Early on, Casablanca placed ads for the band in gay-life magazines likeThe Advocate.
It became about stereotypes and archetypes.
Cowboys and Indians never killed themselves.
on the northern border of Greenwich Village.
I got Jacques to go a few times with me, Jones says.
Adds Rose, Jacques was fascinated, because guys could work out there and also have sex.
stood for: Young Mens Christian Association.
He said, Very interesting … you think we should write a song about it?
But Willis insists the inspiration for the lyrics was the Y.M.C.A.
in his native San Francisco and that the song had more to do with layups than hookups.
I was playing basketball and sports at the Y.M.C.A.
Its a place to get back on your way.
Thats what the lyrics express.
People read whatever they want into everything.
I dont mind if gay people want to claim it as a gay anthem for them, he clarifies.
If youre going to say anything, just say anthem.
Released in 1978, after John TravoltasSaturday Night Feverswept across America, Y.M.C.A.
We would just clap our hands toward the end of the song.
But the arm thing, we always give credit toAmerican Bandstand.
We took what the kids did with Dick Clark.
But the Village Peoples fall was as fast as their ascent.
We were so upset that people hated the movie, Rose says.
We just changed the image.
When the group kicked into Y.M.C.A.
at a European festival, Anzalone watched as thousands spontaneously broke into the arm routine.
It literally took my breath away.
There were lawsuits and legal negotiations, but Willis successfully regained his copyrights for 13 Village People songs.
As a result, Williss share of song royalties jumped from a third to half.
The victory was a potential windfall for Willis, but the singer wasnt done yet.
Above all, he wanted to rejoin his old band.
It was my group, Willis says, and I wanted to be able to perform my music.
Belolo was hoping for a reconciliation among all parties, but it wasnt meant to be.
As a result, the current lineup of the band was essentially let go.
In the beginning, relations between the two camps could be fraught.
The case is still pending.
By 2020, tensions among all parties appeared to have cooled.
But what are you gonna do?
And then came Donald Trump.
or the band, but many assume it began with the New York nightlife of the Seventies.
Jones and Rose recall seeing a young Trump on the New York club scene.
was being played every night, Jones says.
(Willis says he had never heard those stories.)
Its also likely that Trump experienced Y.M.C.A.
But by 2020, Trumps interest in the Village People was undeniable, and he began using Y.M.C.A.
at his rallies without notifying or asking permission from Belolos company or the group.
Those songs were for everybody, whether youre progressive or conservative, white or Black, whatever your sexuality.
To have that music used during a campaign thats very partisan felt inappropriate.
We didnt approve it, and we didnt choose it.
Sorry, but I can no longer look the other way.
The issue seemed to resolve itself when Trump lost the 2020 election.
But in 2023, newly declared candidate Trump again began to play Y.M.C.A.
But as the 2024 presidential campaign continued, Victor Willis softened his stance.
Thats how we let him continue to do it, and I think we made the right decision.
The election, Willis says, cemented the choice hed made.
However, when an invite came to play the inauguration, Willis eagerly put on his cop outfit.
Im a Democrat, so basically he wasnt the candidate I voted for, he says.
We felt that it was only appropriate to stand behind who won the presidency.
On the official Village People socials, MAGA applauded the group for performing.
Despite his own reservations, Belolo wound up flying to D.C. from his Paris home for the inauguration.
We would never have come during a rally before the election, he says.
That doesnt mean we endorse the politics.
A lot of it is deeply contrary to what I believe and what the band believes.
I understand its hard to hear that for many people, given the personality of the new president.
Meanwhile, the business of the Village People is once again ramping up.
Willis, meanwhile, says he has finished a new Village People album for release sometime this year.
Im happy with the guys that have been with me.
We have a great lineup, and they do a great job at what they do, he says.
Im not ready to go backwards.
Where it all lands, for the group and the country, is another matter.
Now I really hope the new president will not turn out to be the end of democracy in America.
