Advertisement

The Village People recruit new members - including Asian construction worker

The Village People has added an Asian construction worker to its lineup.

In fact, Victor Willis – who plays the policeman in the original lineup and won a legal battle in 2012 to reclaim some of the song rights – has done away with all of the original dancing men, replacing them with younger talent.

The Village People pose during a photocall as they arrive to attend the amfAR’s Cinema Against AIDS 2016 event, during the 69th Cannes Film Festival, in Antibes, France, May 19, 2016. REUTERS/Jean-Paul Pelissier
The Village People pose during a photocall as they arrive to attend the amfAR’s Cinema Against AIDS 2016 event, during the 69th Cannes Film Festival, in Antibes, France, May 19, 2016. REUTERS/Jean-Paul Pelissier

TMZ has obtained pictures of the new recruits, which includes a South East Asian construction worker, but the move has enraged Felipe Rose, who played the Native American in the original lineup of the band.

According to Pink News, he said: “This is corporate hijacking at the highest level.

“He’s taking on 40 years of a well-oiled brand and 40 years of a fan base. The outrage is, is he is replacing all of us.”

And Rose added that fans are “furious” and “rabid” at the decision to replace the other members.

He joined the band in 1977 when it made its debut.

The official Village People Facebook page shared a post saying that upcoming performances in Australia in 20 will not feature the most recent lineup, and new members of the group are expected to be announced soon.

Willis left the group in 1979 hoping to go solo and in recent years he was awarded between 33 and 50 percent of the royalties from twenty Village People songs.

He says he tried to get on with the other band members, and had offered for Rose to join the new lineup.

“Despite the fact they had misled the public for many years into believing that they are the singers of the Village People hits when in fact the real singer has always been me, I offered an opportunity for several of the group members to join (including Felipe Rose) in my return at the helm of Village People. They declined my offer” Willis said.

“They have pulled the wool over the public’s eye long enough,” Willis continued.

“I have recruited new members to replace them … I wish the former members the best.”

READ MORE

JAY-Z, Dizzee Rascal and Stormzy make rap ‘history’ at V Festival
Pete Doherty caught with bag of heroin at Swiss-Italian border
Ed Sheeran’s cameo shocks Game of Thrones fans

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram.