Victor Willis

VILLAGE PEOPLE’S ROZZER

What music are you currently grooving to? D-Train and The Invisible Man’s Band. For new stuff, Kendrick Lamar, Beyoncé, Bruno Mars and Meek Mill.

What, if push comes to shove, is your all-time favourite album? What’s Going On by Marvin Gaye. I liked the concept, telling the story of somebody coming back from the war and dealing with the drug scene, the children, saving the babies… Or Village People’s Cruisin’, with Y.M.C.A. on it.

What was the first record you ever bought? And where did you buy it? Probably a Temptations record, maybe My Girl or I Wish It Would Rain. I was living in San Francisco – the HaightAshbury district – and there were record shops everywhere. I used to go to Tower Records a lot, up on Broadway and Columbus.

Which musician, other than yourself, have you ever wanted to be? I can’t say I wanted to be anybody but myself. But I’ve admired quite a few artists – Jimi Hendrix, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, David Ruffin, Otis Redding… But we’ve all got our own style.

What do you sing in the shower? My own songs, the stuff I’m getting ready to go and have to go and do in my show later in that evening. (sings) “Y-MC-A!” Sure, people still love those songs.

What is your favourite Saturday night record? Depends. If it was partying, Edwin Starr, I used to sing 25 Miles, or the Bee Gees’ Stayin’ Alive. Or if it was romance, it would be a nice slow jam – Barry White, Teddy Pendergrass, Marvin Gaye – (sings) “Can’t get enough of your love, babe!”

And your Sunday morning record?

Probably church music, gospel. I used to listen to Aretha Franklin. My father was a Baptist minister and so was hers. So I used to listen to Aretha’s stuff a lot. It’s the perfect music for a Sunday. 40 Years Of Disco 2 tour, with Village People, Trammps, Odyssey and more, begins on March 21, 2019.