Categories: Entertainment

Iconic ’70s band playing Trump inauguration knows fans won’t be happy

The Village People confirmed Monday that they will perform at President-elect Donald Trump’s inaugural ball and rally. Singer and co-founder Victor Willis made the official announcement in person. Facebook page.

“We know this won’t please some of you; however, we believe music should be played without regard to politics,” Willis wrote on Facebook. “Our YMCA song is a global anthem that will hopefully help bring the country together after a tumultuous and divided campaign in which our favorite candidate lost.”

The 1970s disco group’s songs “Macho Man” and “YMCA” were marquee songs at the president-elect’s 2020 and 2024 campaign rallies.

Initially, Willis had requested that the Trump campaign stop playing the song in 2020. However, the singer highlighted the campaign to “request a political use license”, granted by BMI to authorize the use of the song.

Willis changed his position in a December article about his Facebook page. The singer cited the growing popularity of the “YMCA” since its inclusion in the president-elect’s rallies. Willis also said the song was never intended to be a cultural or political statement despite being a staple within the LGBTQ community.

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Murjani Rawls can be contacted at mrawls@njadvancemedia.com

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